What happened
On January 28, 2002, at 10:40 local time, a Mudry Cap 10 B (registration F-GGYL) and a Socata TB 10 (registration F-GCEX) were involved in a mid-air collision near Agen, France. The flight involved a ferry/convoy mission where the Mudry Cap 10 B, operated by a flying club, was intended to rendezvous with the Socata TB 10, operated by a flight school.
After departing Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the Mudry Cap 10 B moved north to wait for the Socata TB 10. Once the Socata TB 10 departed ten minutes later, the two aircraft established radio contact and flew together briefly. During the flight, the pilot in the right seat of the Mudry Cap 10 B performed a right turn, moving approximately 1.5 nautical miles away from the other aircraft, causing the two planes to lose visual contact.
While separated, the crew of the Mudry Cap 10 B performed aerobatic maneuvers, including a right-hand loop and two subsequent rolls. During the second roll, the tailwheel of the Mudry Cap 10 B struck the upper right portion of the engine cowling of the Socata TB 10. Simultaneously, the propeller of the Socata TB 10 struck the right side of the Mudry Cap 10 B's horizontal stabilizer and rudder, causing significant structural damage.
Following the impact, the pilot of the Socata TB 10 performed an emergency landing in a plowed field. Due to the soft ground, the nose gear collapsed during the landing. The crew of the Mudry Cap 10 B attempted an emergency landing at Agen aerodrome; however, because the tailwheel had been lost in the collision, the pilot lost control during touchdown, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway into the grass.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight paths and the sequence of maneuvers leading to the collision. Investigators reconstructed the probable trajectories based on pilot testimonies. The investigation examined the visibility, weather conditions, and the specific aerobatic maneuvers performed by the Mudly Cap 10 B crew after they had lost visual contact with the Socata TB 10.