Investigation Summary
During the takeoff roll on runway 08, the aircraft reached its rotation speed (VR) of 158 knots. The pilot-in-command attempted to rotate, but the nose only lifted slightly before dropping back down. Investigation revealed a significant out-of-trim condition that created prohibitive forces on the control column. A concurrent failure in the electric trim servo motor prevented the crew from correcting the stabilizer setting. Faced with an aircraft that would not fly, the captain initiated a rejected takeoff well beyond V1 speed. Despite heavy braking and reverse thrust, the aircraft overran the runway at approximately 160 knots. It struck approach lights and a house in the residential area of Villeneuve-le-Roi, coming to rest in a hollow approximately 500 meters from the end of the runway.
Final Conclusions
The BEA determined the accident resulted from a combination of a major out-of-trim condition and a failure of the trim servo motor control system. These mechanical issues prevented the pilot from rotating the aircraft at the calculated speeds. The decision to abort was made too late to stop the aircraft within the remaining runway length and overrun area.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Horizontal Stabilizer Trim
The system responsible for adjusting the pitch of the aircraft; a failure here prevented the pilots from rotating the nose upward for takeoff.
Trim Servo Motor
The electric motor that drives the trim setting; its failure meant the pilots could not correct the out-of-trim condition.
Interesting Facts
- 01At the time, it was the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.
- 02The crash killed 103 members of the Atlanta Art Association, nearly wiping out the city's arts leadership.
- 03Only two flight attendants, Françoise Authie and Jacqueline Gillet, survived the crash.
- 04The aircraft was named 'Chateau de Sully' after a minister of King Henry IV.
- 05The flight was a non-scheduled charter returning to Atlanta and Houston via New York.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Woodruff Arts Center Construction
Source ↗In response to the loss of so many arts patrons, the Atlanta community raised funds to build the Memorial Arts Center (now the Woodruff Arts Center) as a living memorial.
Boeing 707 Trim System Maintenance and Training
Source ↗Following the investigation, the BEA emphasized the need for rigorous maintenance of the electric trim servo motor and improved pilot training regarding the manual override of the stabilizer trim system when the electric motor fails or jams.