Metroliner crash after T/O in Malta

[what next]

Does the metroliner have a gustlock device?

Yes, it does. But this accident can have many other causes as well. Asymmetric power at low speed, asymmetric flap retraction at low speed, load shift, trim runaway, ...

On a european register it would be fitted with FDR and CVR (at least the German registered one that I flew many years ago did have those) but I don't know if the FAA requires that for part 23 aircraft.

[t1grm]

What the aircraft was doing (or more specifically the passengers on it) is a potential problem for the Maltese government because Malta is supposed to be a neutral country. So if it was some covert intelligence or special forces mission by France in Libya then, if Malta knew about it, it's a local political scandal and if they didn't it's quite an awkward diplomatic incident between France and Malta.

[AN2 Driver]

I am no expert in the Metro or Merlin, but I seem to recall at least one similar accident where the airplane came down inverted after unequal engine power was applied during a go around in Ireland I believe it was. (Cork?)

It appears from the footage that the airplane came down inverted and out of control. If they did not carry an FDR or CVR it will be difficult to figure out what happened, as the degree of destruction certainly must be horriffic. Several things come to mind, but I reckon all we can do is wait for more facts.

[Metro man]

These aircraft have horrendous stalling characteristics and are fitted with a stick shaker and a stick pusher as part of its SAS (stall avoidance system). Most other 19 seat turboprops don't require this level of protection.

A Metroliner requires relatively skilled handling and isn't the most forgiving of aircraft when things go wrong.

[T28B]

@AN2Driver: Are you referring to this accident?

[tartare]

Jesus - used to fly on those as SLF with Air Nelson in NZ.
Fast, but always thought they were a little scary.
That's a horrific video.

[Una Due Tfc]

Originally Posted by AN2 Driver

I am no expert in the Metro or Merlin, but I seem to recall at least one similar accident where the airplane came down inverted after unequal engine power was applied during a go around in Ireland I believe it was. (Cork?)

IIRC one side went into negative torque in low viz after the crew busted their minima.

[T28B]

For those seeking similarity, since someone brought it up, the final report on the Metroliner at Cork is here.
That accident was during a different flight regime: on approach to landing, not departure.
The weather is significantly different (see the video already posted(from the car that caught a glimpse of the crash).
The below text is excerpted from the official report from the crash of the Metroliner at Cork:

Descent of the aircraft was continued below DH. This was followed by a reduction in power and a significant roll to the left. Just below 100 ft radio altitude, a go-around was called by the PNF which was acknowledged by the PF.
Coincident with the application of go-around power by the PNF, control of the aircraft was lost. The aircraft rolled rapidly to the right beyond the
vertical which brought the right wingtip into contact with the runway surface. The aircraft continued to roll and impacted the runway inverted. {snip} The accident occurred in daylight, but under conditions of fog.

From that, I will suggest that comparing the two accidents is of marginal value beyond the standard concerns of twin engine turboprops and their operations, and perhaps low speed handling qualities of Metroliners.

[Joe_K]

What the aircraft was doing (or more specifically the passengers on it) is a potential problem for the Maltese government because Malta is supposed to be a neutral country. So if it was some covert intelligence or special forces mission by France in Libya then, if Malta knew about it, it's a local political scandal and if they didn't it's quite an awkward diplomatic incident between France and Malta.

It's hard to imagine the Maltese government not knowing about the activities of a company proudly displaying a NAMSA vendor ID and NATO CAGE number on their website, when you can find Blog entries dating back to February claiming French Special Forces (COS) had used N123LH out of Malta to infiltrate Libya. N123LH is also a Merlin III operated by CAE.

[LiveryMan]

Friend of mine type rated on the Metroliner suggested an accidental reversal of prop pitch on the No.2 engine would possibly explain why they were inverted so quickly after take off. Apparently it's easy to do by mistake. The lack of smoke from No.2 would seem to rule out an engine out scenario.

[Volume]

If a civil registered aircraft is operated by an "governmental" (miltary, itelligence, whatsoever...) organisation, will there be a civil (public) accident investigation? Will there ever be a public report?

[ATC Watcher]

This was not a military flight , nor a military aircraft, so the State in which the accident occurred is responsible for the investigation and , knowing Malta CAA , yes there will be a report.

[t1grm]

Originally Posted by Joe_K

It's hard to imagine the Maltese government not knowing about the activities of a company proudly displaying a NAMSA vendor ID and NATO CAGE number on their website, when you can find Blog entries dating back to February claiming French Special Forces (COS) had used N123LH out of Malta to infiltrate Libya. N123LH is also a Merlin III operated by CAE.

Agreed. Which means the Maltese government will have some awkward questions to answer to the Maltese electorate if the flight turns out to be anything other than a civilian mission. Malta's neutrality (or lack of in some cases) is already quite a politically sensitive issue at the moment.

[t1grm]

Originally Posted by ATC Watcher

This was not a military flight , nor a military aircraft, so the State in which the accident occurred is responsible for the investigation and , knowing Malta CAA , yes there will be a report.

Press is stating investigation will be done by French defence ministry lending weight to the possibility this was not a civilian flight:

French citizens killed in surveillance plane crash on Malta - BBC News

[wiggy]

lending weight to the possibility this was not a civilian flight:

Not sure there's much cloak and dagger here, The French have been openly reporting for nearly 24 hours that the individuals kiled were customs officials, involved in anti-people smuggling operations, and were en-route for a third world destination...

[Joe_K]

Not true, the French Customs authority (DGDDI) have pretty much immediately after the crash tweeted that none of their personnel were involved, and Le Monde is reporting the flight was conducted for the DGSE, which is the French external intelligence agency (similar to CIA or MI6). The Le Monde article also points out that the Maltese governement "thought" the flights being conducted over the last 5 months were customs flights, but that in fact the French Defence Minister had to admit that this was not the case...

Le crash de Malte lève un coin du voile sur les vols de la DGSE

[wiggy]

Ah well, maybe my mistake but from what I saw France 2 were definitely reporting French customs officials were involved on their yesterday lunchtime broadcast......now whether that was before or after the DGDDI tweet, whether they were getting info from the scene I dont know.

Fog of war, etc/diseinformation etc, don't you love it???

[ATC Watcher]

be careful withe the Press

t1grm

Press is stating investigation will be done by French defence ministry lending weight to the possibility this was not a civilian flight

The flight was a civilian one , the aircraft a civil one ( N-registered) , owned and operated by a civilian company (CAE) . so Annex 13 applies.
The French Defence ministry investigation is the normal administrative investigation done after any loss of life of one of its staff. This is not the one to be done according Annex13 by the Maltese State.

Wiggy :

but from what I saw France 2

France 2 TV was probably using info coming from Malta , in the meantime the Ministry of defense has confirmed it was their staff on a mission for DRM ( not DGSE as Le Monde is reporting, but possibly DGSE chartered the aircrfat long term and DRM was using it . DRM is the military intelligence unit.. .( Direction du Renseignement Militaire)

[wiggy]

France 2 TV was probably using info coming from Malta

Given the timings you're probably right, thanks for the clarification.....

[recceguy]

That's the problem - chartering civilian aircraft fro governmental missions.
It has been done many, many times in the past - by the French Secret Service, but also the US of course.
Fine when everything goes smoothly (why do we need more regulations ?)
Everybody running for cover in case of a crash....

As for the CAE, see the Seychelles :
Reportage (exclusif) avec les avions "luxembourgeois" d'Atalanta aux Seychelles - bruxelles2 Europe de la Défense - open source (in french, as the French crew..)

Also used by the RNLAF for para training (Casa 212 in a private airport in France) and many, many others ... including Mali and Niger :

CAE Aviation « Feral Jundi

Governments have their reasons for doing that. Obviously it was not Customs (they have their own aircraft in France) ... who would believe that ?

In any case, respect and salute to the great crew involved - many of them coming from the french Reconnaissance ....