On the 5th of December 1989, an Airbus A320-211 was operating a scheduled domestic flight between Paris Orly Airport and Lille Lesquin Airport, France. On board the Airbus, for the short 210 kilometres (~113 nautical miles) flight, a crew of six (two flight crew and four cabin crew) and 136 passengers. The weather wasn't great with visibility down to approximately 500m due to fog.
The wreckage of the Mooney on the runway (Source: www.hdekker.info)
As the Airbus made its way to Lille the pilot of a Mooney M20K was eager to get on his way from Lille to Amsterdam after previously being denied start-up clearance. After being denied his clearance the pilot of the Mooney attempted to bypass ATC by contacting some influential persons he knew. This did not get the expected result and approximately two hours after being denied his initial clearance, finally start clearance was received. The engine of the Mooney M20K was started and the aircraft was taxied towards the runway.
The Airbus A320 undergoing repairs (Source: www.hdekker.info)
As the Mooney's engine was started the Airbus A320 was on the approach to Lille's Runway 26 at approximately 10.15 lt (local time). Unbeknown to the crew of the Airbus and ATC the pilot of the Mooney had entered and lined up on runway 26 at intersection B3 as the Airbus was approaching. After receiving its landing clearance the Airbus continued its approach to landing, once the Airbus crew became visual with the runway they noticed the Mooney on the runway but were unable to initiate a go-around. The Airbus touched down and the nose landing gear struck the Mooney from behind. The Mooney was spun around 180º, and the wings and tail of the Mooney were ripped off. Leaving only the fuselage more or less intact from which the pilot managed to escape without injuries.
The wreckage of the Mooney on the runway (Source: www.hdekker.info)
The Mooney was written off as damaged beyond repair, while the airbus only sustained minor damage, amongst others, to its landing gear and the right-hand engine. The nose landing gear of the Airbus failed in a rearwards direction, causing the aircraft to come to a stop on its nose. It was repaired and returned to service.
Notification Telex with accident details (Source: www.hdekker.info)
** Editorial note **
V2 Aviation - Training & Maintenance has not been able to obtain an investigation report on this accident. Although a notification Telex was sent indicating that the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) would investigate the accident. (Please refer to the picture above this Editorial note) This blog is therefore based on several internet sources. Should there be an inconsistency in the blog don't hesitate to get in touch with us. There are two possibilities to do that, via the comments function at the bottom of this page or the contact page of the website.
Diagram of Lille Lesquin Airport, indicating where both aircraft came to a stop
(Source: www.hdekker.info)