On June 5, 1910, a test flight conducted by aviation pioneer Maurice Farman ended in a dramatic crash at Buc, France. The weather was perfect, and Farman was flying his biplane with Georges Besançon, secretary general of the Aéro-Club, as a passenger. Nothing suggested that this routine test would turn into a tragedy. As they attempted to land, Farman misjudged his approach and struck a mound of earth. The propeller shattered on impact, and the aircraft's chassis broke apart, leaving the plane a pile of broken wood. Remarkably, both men survived. Farman suffered only minor bruises, but Besançon sustained a head injury and an open fracture to his arm. This incident, though over a century old, carries timeless lessons for modern aviation training. For ATPL students, it underscores the critical importance of approach planning and situational awareness. Even in the early days of aviation, a misjudged approach could have catastrophic consequences. Today, with advanced navigation aids and standardized procedures, the principles remain the same: a stable approach is non-negotiable. For ATC trainees, this event highlights the role of airfield design and obstacle clearance. The mound that caused the crash would today be marked on charts and considered in obstacle limitation surfaces. Understanding the history of such accidents helps students appreciate why modern regulations exist. From a safety perspective, the crash of Maurice Farman's biplane is a reminder that aviation has always been a field where human error and environmental factors intersect. The pilot's misjudgment, combined with an unmarked obstacle, led to the accident. Today, safety management systems (SMS) and crew resource management (CRM) are taught to mitigate such risks. For ATPL students, this case study illustrates the evolution of safety culture—from individual pilot skill to systemic approaches that include training, procedures, and technology. Finally, this event is a testament to the resilience of early aviators. Despite the crash, Farman continued to innovate and contribute to aviation. For students, it's a reminder that setbacks are part of the learning process. The aviation industry has built its current safety record on the lessons of past accidents. By studying these historical events, ATPL and ATC candidates gain a deeper understanding of the principles that keep modern skies safe.