Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 22 June 2003
Aircraft Type: Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-100ER
Owner/operator: Brit Air
Registration Number: F-GRJS
Location: 2 km from Brest-Guipavas Airport (BES) – ÿ France
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 24
Component Affected: Aircraft Flight Control SystemAircraft Flight Control System
Investigating Agency: BEABEA
Category: Accident
Air France flight 5672, a regional jet, experienced a significant near-miss during its approach to Brest. Due to shifting winds, the aircraft deviated to the left of the centreline, resulting in a descent below the glideslope. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) triggered, and engine power was increased, but the situation escalated to a collision with obstacles. The aircraft landed in a field, impacting multiple obstacles and requiring a significant distance to the runway threshold. All occupants were able to evacuate before fire. The accident was caused by a combination of factors including inadequate approach planning, navigation errors, and poor communication.Air France flight 5672, a regional jet, experienced a significant near-miss during its approach to Brest. Due to shifting winds, the aircraft deviated to the left of the centreline, resulting in a descent below the glideslope. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) triggered, and engine power was increased, but the situation escalated to a collision with obstacles. The aircraft landed in a field, impacting multiple obstacles and requiring a significant distance to the runway threshold. All occupants were able to evacuate before fire. The accident was caused by a combination of factors including inadequate approach planning, navigation errors, and poor communication.

Description

Air France flight 5672, the evening flight from Nantes to Brest, departed Nantes about 23:15. As the Canadair Regional Jet approached Brest, the crew were cleared for a runway 26L approach. Runway 26L is a 3100 m long ILS equipped runway. During the approach the airplane deviated to the left of the centreline 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. Flight 5672, with the gear down, touched down in a field and collided with several obstacles before coming to rest 150 m further on, at a distance of 2150 m from the runway threshold and 450 m to the left of the extended centreline. All occupants, except for the captain were able to evacuate before the aircraft caught fire. The co-pilot and two passengers were injured. PROBABLE CAUSES: “The causes of the accident are as follows: – 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, and a change of strategy on the part of the Controller in managing the flight were contributing factors.”

Source of Information

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/CRJ1,_vicinity_Brest_France,_2003_(CFIT_HF_FIRE)http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/CRJ1,_vicinity_Brest_France,_2003_(CFIT_HF_FIRE)

Primary Cause

Inadequate approach planning and navigation, specifically failing to select the APPR mode at the start of the approach and focusing on vertical navigation instead of horizontal.Inadequate approach planning and navigation, specifically failing to select the APPR mode at the start of the approach and focusing on vertical navigation instead of horizontal.

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