What happened
On November 8, 2015, at approximately 17:45 local time, an amateur-built Aiglon ultralight, identified as 76-WC, departed from a private airfield in Ménerval, France. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses observed the aircraft descending at a low altitude in a left-hand spin before impacting the ground. The aircraft struck a road approximately 100 meters below and away from the airfield's ultralight platform. The impact occurred with a nose-down attitude and a slight leftward tilt, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the technical condition of the aircraft and the pilot's experience. Examination of the wreckage revealed no technical anomalies; the flight controls were continuous, the aileron-based flap system was in the retracted position, and the engine was at idle power. The propulsion system was found to be functional, with fuel present in the tanks and carburetors, and no contamination in the fuel filters. While one propeller blade was broken, the engine itself was capable of compression.
Regarding the pilot, the investigation established that although the pilot held a valid ultralight license, they had not flown regularly for seven to eight years. This was the pilot's first solo flight in this specific aircraft. Furthermore, the manufacturer had previously advised the pilot to fly with an instructor to gain proficiency in this particular model, as its flight characteristics—specifically its glide ratio and approach speeds—differed from the aircraft the pilot had previously operated.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified in the loss of control:
- The pilot was performing a flight in low-light conditions, as the accident occurred just minutes after the sun had set.
- The pilot lacked recent flying experience, having been inactive for several years.
- The pilot had no prior experience operating the 76-WC model, which required different handling and approach speeds than their previous aircraft.
- The aircraft likely experienced a stall during the circuit pattern, though the specific aerodynamic trigger could not be definitively determined due to the lack of technical anomalies.
- The combination of low visibility, lack of recent proficiency, and unfamiliarity with the aircraft's performance characteristics significantly compromised flight safety.