Brit Air (Air France) Canadair CRJ-100 plane crash
Brest, France
Updated on
The plane was on a scheduled passenger flight (Flight 5672) from Nantes (France) to Brest (France). It crashed short of runway while attempting to land at Brest airport.
During the approach the airplane deviated to the left of the centerline due to gradually shifting winds. At first the aircraft was above the glideslope, but then descended below the glideslope. As they further descended below the glideslope (25 seconds before impact), the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) began to sound. Engine power was added, but it was too late. The plane impacted power lines and a roadway, before coming to rest 150m further on, at a distance of 2150m from the runway threshold and 450m to the left of the extended centerline. Then it caught fire.
The Captain sustained fatal injuries. The first officer and two passengers were seriously injured.
Weather at the time of the accident was poor, with a reported ceiling of 200 feet, and surface visibility measured at 800 meters.
- Neglecting to select the APPR mode at the start of the approach, which led to non-capture of the localizer then of the glide slope.
- Partial detection of flight path deviations, due to the crew's focusing on vertical navigation then on horizontal navigation.
- Continuing a non-stabilised approach down to the decision altitude.
- Lack of communication and co-ordination in the cockpit
- A change of strategy on the part of the Air Traffic Controller in managing the flight.
