The aircraft was on a scheduled flight between Paris and London's Northolt airport and 28 of the 30 passengers and crew on board were killed.

[3][4] The aircraft carried out what appeared to be a normal GCA, reaching the decision height of 140 ft (43 m) at about 400 yd (366 m) from the end of the runway.

Shortly after reaching this point the pilot announced over the radio, I am overshooting[5] (aborting the landing attempt and carrying out a go-around), but a few seconds later the aircraft struck the runway and skidded along it for 140 ft (43 m) before regaining the air.

With both propellers damaged by the initial contact with the ground, it finally crashed approximately 3,000 ft (914 m) further along the runway, the starboard wing being torn off and the aircraft bursting into flames as it came to rest next to a store of drain-pipes.

[7] A public inquiry was set up to investigate the accident, chaired by Sir Walter Monckton;[8] while a more general investigation of the relative responsibilities of pilots and ground control with respect to landings in poor weather conditions was to be led by Lord Brabazon of Tara, the aviation pioneer and former Minister of Transport.