Metroliner crash after T/O in Malta
 

Very steep bank...

https://3a09223b3cd53870eeaa-7f75e5e...8d-620x348.jpg
picture by Laurent Azzopardi

Caught on camera for a few seconds:
https://www.facebook.com/lazz178.mt/...type=2&theater

https://youtu.be/wMiDMVyfCeA

Looks like it's turned more or less on it's back.

Vmc accident? Would not be the first for the Metros...

Rumours that it's N577MX

Live updates here: https://www.maltairport.com/index.html

Yes they have confirmed its N577MX.

More information - apparently the flight was part of a French customs surveillance operation.

Looks a lot like a stall with a wing drop.
Pilot may have panicked and tried to roll out aggravating the stall.
would explain the inversion and low speed.

The video I saw from a dashboard cam, has it pretty much upside down at about 200 ft alt

Not "customs" related.
Plane & crew from CAE.
Pax personnel "under the Ministry of Defence".

Sources in France are speaking about 3 French military and 2 civilians ,( the pilots of the leased a/c ) Ministry of defense confirmed the death of 3 of its personal.
Another source ( Ouest France ) indicate the a/c was leased from Luxembourg by the French Civil intelligence service DGSE and Military Intelligence DRM . Looking at the intended destination this does not sound like Customs surveillance.

I had not heard of CAE previously. So am basically interested how the government and military might be seemingly flouting EASA hire and reward regulations with an N reg'd aircraft.

Clearly the French were paying for this through a "lease" arrangement. I mean we either have rules, or we don't. Or am I jumping the gun a little?

Very valid question....It will be interesting to see exactly what the leasing details were, assuming we ever find out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTpdWQYCk2Q

footage of burning crash site and arrival of emergency vehicles, taken by a passenger onboard a flight waiting to depart

Which 'rule(s)' are you referring to, specifically? Bear in mind, also, that this would constitute SPO and not CAT, so is not subject to the Third Country Operators Regulation.

If the aircraft is being paid for then it is hire and reward surely? If that is the case, aircraft should be EASA. It should not matter if this is special operations.

Again, if special operations can evade this requirement then fair enough. However, it should not. In my view of course.

LGW Vulture :
DRM ( French military intelligence service) recognized now they chartered the aircraft.
The company :
CAE-AVIATION - Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Services - Army Technology

Does the metroliner have a gustlock device?

Interesting question if you look at this old AD http://services.casa.gov.au/airworth...WSA226-052.pdf