What happened
On May 18, 2015, a pilot operating a Socata MS-893E Rallye, registration F-GBSC, attempted to depart from the Sollières-Sardières airfield for a flight to Grenoble le Versoud. During the initial takeoff roll on runway 19, the pilot aborted the maneuver after perceiving insufficient airspeed.
On the second attempt, the aircraft reached the end of the runway but failed to gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft struck the treetops located downslope to the right of the runway axis, resulting in damage to the right wing's leading edge and the loss of the left flap. Unable to return to the airfield, the pilot navigated through the Arc valley toward Avrieux. During this low-altitude flight, the aircraft struck a cable, which tore away the anti-collision light from the vertical fin.
While attempting an emergency landing on a road south of Avrieux, the pilot encountered high-voltage power lines and performed a steep dive to pass beneath them. The aircraft subsequently struck a mound of earth during a hard landing on the road, causing the landing gear to detach. The pilot sustained one injury, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, engine, and braking systems, finding no mechanical failures capable of explaining the insufficient takeoff speed. Weight and balance calculations confirmed the aircraft was within authorized flight limits.
Investigators analyzed the takeoff performance on the unpaved runway, noting that while the aircraft's takeoff speed was calculated at 101 km/h, the pilot had configured the aircraft with 10° flaps, contrary to the flight manual's recommendation for takeoff. Meteorological data indicated highly variable winds with strong gusts, characteristic of a "Lombarde" wind pattern, which significantly impacted the aircraft's ability to climb during the second takeoff attempt.