What happened
On December 31, 2018, a Beech C23 Sundowner, registration F-OJCA, was performing a private navigation flight from Saint-François to Les Saintes in Guadeloupe. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 11, at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the engine experienced a significant reduction in power. As the aircraft began to lose altitude, the pilot executed an emergency landing in shallow water approximately 15 meters from the shoreline. During the impact, the nose gear collapsed after striking rocks on the seabed. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, though the pilot and two passengers sustained only minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation utilized pilot testimony and video footage recorded by a passenger. Audio analysis of the video confirmed that while the engine initially operated at a nominal 2,400 RPM during the takeoff roll, a sudden drop to 1,900 RPM occurred 17 seconds after rotation. Following this drop, the engine RPM fluctuated erratically between 1,000 and 1,900 RPM. The stall warning also activated repeatedly during the climb and continued continuously after the power loss.
Investigators examined the engine and noted that the carburetor air intake bell was crushed and damaged. The engine cowling also showed damage, which may have impacted the intake bell during the accident. While the aircraft had undergone a 100-hour maintenance inspection in November 2018, the BEA was unable to perform a detailed engine examination to pinpoint the exact cause of the power loss.
Findings
- The engine power loss was the primary factor leading to the forced landing.
- The pilot did not perform engine run-up tests prior to departure, which might have identified the mechanical anomaly.
- The nose gear failure was caused by contact with rocks on the seabed during the water landing.
- The passengers were not wearing seatbelts, as the pilot had advised them it was unnecessary; the investigation noted that the lack of a commercial operational framework contributed to this lapse in safety procedures.
- The aircraft was being operated in a private capacity, and the passengers were reportedly unaware of the safety distinctions between private flights and commercial air transport.