What happened
On January 15, 2006, a Piper PA 28.181, registration F-GETZ, departed Avignon for a planned VFR flight to Mende. The flight was intended for personal reasons, with the pilot and one passenger traveling for lunch. After climbing to 7,700 feet near the Cévennes mountains, the pilot performed two successive turns. Following these maneuvers, the aircraft descended and began flying along the Goulet mountain range. The aircraft eventually struck a slope at an altitude of 4,185 feet, resulting in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight trajectory, engine performance, and meteorological conditions. Radar data indicated that the pilot initially descended to 3,000 feet, likely attempting to avoid clouds, which placed the aircraft at an altitude insufficient for clearing the local terrain. The investigation also reviewed weather reports from the flight preparation area, which included a specific warning regarding severe carburetor icing risks. Analysis of the wreckage showed that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact, and the aircraft's deformation suggested a high angle of attack and a significant vertical descent rate consistent with a stall.
Findings
- The pilot continued the flight toward the destination beyond the point where a safe return to Avignon was still possible.
- The aircraft became trapped between the mountainous terrain and a low cloud layer, effectively losing VFR conditions.
- Severe meteorological conditions, including heavy clouds and precipitation (snow and sleet), likely caused airframe and propeller icing, degrading the aircraft's aerodynamic performance.
- The pilot's loss of visual references in the low-visibility environment contributed to the eventual loss of control.