What happened
On August 9, 2020, an Air Création GTE Trek 700E / Fun 450 microlight, registration 79HX, was conducting a cross-country flight from Niort-Marais poitevin airport to the Le Fort d'Aslonnes microlight strip. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a reconnaissance of the facilities. Because no windsock was visible at the strip, the pilot relied on radio reports from a nearby airfield and a tablet application to estimate wind conditions, ultimately deciding to land on runway 03.
During the approach, the aircraft encountered turbulence. On short final, stronger turbulence caused the aircraft to lose altitude, prompting the passenger to suggest a go-around. The pilot applied full power to initiate the maneuver; however, the aircraft deviated to the left of the runway axis. The microlight subsequently struck a line of trees and the ground, which triggered a fire. The accident resulted in one fatality and one injury.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the pilot's estimation of wind conditions and the aircraft's performance during the go-around. Investigators examined the site, noting that the wreckage was relatively intact but heavily damaged by the collision with vegetation and the subsequent fire. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's use of an aeronautical application on a tablet to determine ground speed and his reliance on radio communications from a different airfield to infer local wind direction.
Findings
- The pilot performed the approach with a tailwind that had not been correctly identified.
- The presence of a right crosswind component and turbulence made the aircraft difficult to control during the final approach.
- During the go-around, the application of full power induced a propeller torque reaction, which, combined with the wind conditions, caused the aircraft to deviate left.
- The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient control of the flight path or regain enough altitude to clear the trees.