Accident to the Pilatus PC6 registered D-FIPS on 28/06/2026 at Tomblaine
Loss of control just after take-off, collision with ground, during a parachute dropping flight
From taxiway B, the pilot lined up on runway 21 at Nancy-Essey airport and then took off for the sixth dropping flight since the beginning of the day with ten parachutists on board. During the take-off rotation, an instructor situated at the rear of the aeroplane shouted out, “Ça fume” (there’s smoke), pointing to the front right of the cabin with his finger. The pilot, who seemed not to have heard this shout, continued the take-off. Another instructor situated in the middle of the cabin also shouted out, “Ça fume!” pointing to the floor in the same area. The instructors agreed to slightly open the side door to air the cabin.
A short time later, the gas generator speed (Ng) of the turboprop engine decreased by around 10%. At the same time, the propeller speed (Np) briefly fluctuated before returning to its nominal value of 2,000 rpm. Soon after, the pitch attitude of the aeroplane increased and the stall warning was briefly activated three times. The pilot turned left with a high pitch attitude and the stall warning continuously sounded. The aeroplane entered an asymmetric stall and collided with the ground.