What happened
On June 21, 2016, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight in an ELA 07 gyroplane, identified as 95-AGD, at the Persan Beaumont airfield. After completing a pre-flight inspection and announcing his intentions on the airfield frequency, the pilot departed from the Air Plaisir hangar toward the runway 28 holding point. Following takeoff, no further radio communications were received.
At approximately 18:30, the pilot's instructor, concerned by the lack of communication, took off in another aircraft to locate the student. The instructor subsequently discovered the wreckage in a field located at the northern end of a disused runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage, the pilot's medical history, and the aircraft's mechanical condition. Examination of the ELA 07 wreckage indicated that the aircraft struck the ground with a slight nose-down attitude, a minor right bank, and significant forward and vertical velocity.
While investigators found a pinched seal on the fuel filter decanter that could have caused a significant leak, they determined this was not sufficient to cause engine failure. The engine was not seized, and no other mechanical anomalies were identified.
Regarding the pilot, the investigation revealed a history of a myocardial infarction in January 201 and the presence of Verapamil, a medication used to treat such conditions, in his system. The investigation also noted that the pilot had experienced significant fatigue in the days leading up to the accident, including a recent motor vehicle accident caused by falling asleep while driving.
Findings
- The investigation could not definitively establish a single cause for the accident.
- A potential engine power reduction due to a fuel leak from the decanter filter was considered a possibility.
- The pilot's medical and physical condition presented a significant risk factor; the combination of a known cardiovascular history, recent fatigue, and a recent driving accident due to exhaustion suggested the possibility of in-flight incapacitation.