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Status Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date Friday 12 February 1999
Time 16:40
Type Silhouette image of generic A320 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Airbus A320-211
Operator Air France
Registration F-GJVG
MSN 270
Year of manufature 1991
Engines CFMI CFM56-5A1
Crew Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Passengers Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 163
Total occupants Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 169
Aircraft damage Minor, repaired
Aircraft fate rep
Location Grenouillet   France
Phase En route
Nature Passenger - Scheduled
Departure Airport Paris-Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO)
Destination Airport Montpellier-Fréjorgues Airport (MPL/LFMT)
Narrative At 15:36 the Airbus 320 contacted Montpellier approach and reported descending through FL140. The crew were told to continue to VOR Fréjorgues and descend to FL80. FL80 was reached at 15:39. At the same time a Grob G.103 glider plane (F-CGXB) was flying nearby at the same altitude. Both were on a collision course and the A.320 captain took avoiding action by banking to the right. The left wing of the Airbus collided with the Grob's horizontal stabilizer. Both aircraft managed to make a safe landing.

CAUSES PROBABLES: "L'abordage résulte de l'inadéquation du concept "voir et éviter", seul applicable dans cette partie de l'espace, compte tenu des caractéristiques actuelles de l'aviation. Plus spécifiquement, l'abordage s'est produit parce que :
- les occupants du G 103 n'ont pas vu l'A 320 sur leur travers gauche,
- l'équipage de l'A 320 a discerné trop tardivement le G 103 pour pouvoir, compte tenu de la vitesse de rapprochement des deux aéronefs et du temps
de détection et de réaction, en dépit de sa vigilance, réussir sa manoeuvre d'évitement."

sources


ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Final report

Investigating agency: BEA

Report nr: Report f-vg990212

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