What happened
On 25 December 2015, an Aeroandina MSL Aero (identified as 30-TB) was performing a cross-country flight from Saint-Chamond - L’Horme to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. Upon arrival, the pilot attempted to land on runway 28 but aborted the initial approach. After a second aborted approach, the pilot attempted a third approach, joining a right-hand downwind leg. During this maneuver, the aircraft performed an increasingly tight right turn at a low altitude. Witnesses observed the aircraft bank excessively before entering a right-hand spin. The microlight struck the ground approximately 100 meters east of the runway threshold, resulting in a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, the pilot's training history, and the aircraft's modifications. The 30-TB had been modified to allow the pilot, who had a disability in his right arm, to operate the controls using only his left hand. This included a modified throttle grip and electric flap controls. Investigators also analyzed video footage from a witness, which showed the aircraft at a height of approximately 200 feet with a nose-up attitude and low ground speed just before the accident. The engine was found to be delivering power at the moment of impact.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the loss of control:
- The pilot failed to perform an aerodrome reconnaissance, meaning he did not observe the windsock to assess the wind conditions.
- A strong easterly tailwind made the approach unstable, leading to two aborted attempts.
- The pilot's insufficient monitoring of flight parameters, specifically airspeed, likely led to the stall and subsequent spin.
- The aircraft lacked a stall warning system, and the model is known for having subtle natural indicators of an impending stall.
- Potential contributing factors included pilot fatigue following a two-and-a-half-hour flight and increased stress levels due to repeated aborted approaches.