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Cessna 172-R Accident at Aix-les-Milles (F-HATK)

Aix-les-Milles, FR

On May 20, 2016, a Cessna 172-R (registration F-HATK) was involved in an aviation accident near Aix-les-Milles, FR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was due to a pitch-down trim event during landing. The investigation could not clearly identify the cause of the trim movement but excluded pilot incapacity or voluntary action. This summary draws on records from the French Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe French Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 172-R (F-HATK) crashed on May 20, 2016, at Aix-les-Milles after a hard landing. The aircraft caught fire, injuring the pilot and one passenger. The BEA attributed the accident to a pitch-down trim event.

Flight Details and Impact Sequence On May 20, 2016, a Cessna 172-R with registration F-HATK, operated by a club for general aviation, departed Carpentras for Aix-les-Milles. The aircraft carried a pilot and two passengers. During the final approach to runway 32, the controller cleared the pilot to land, reporting a wind of 330° at 10 kt. The approach was stabilized, but as the pilot prepared to flare, the aircraft pitched down abruptly. It struck the runway hard on the nose, breaking the nose landing gear. The aircraft slid 124 meters, veered off the runway laterally, and came to rest on the grass. It caught fire while the occupants evacuated. The pilot and one passenger were injured, while the second passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause

The accident was due to a pitch-down trim event during landing. The investigation could not clearly identify the cause of the trim movement but excluded pilot incapacity or voluntary action. A possible autopilot failure, specifically inappropriate trim command, was noted.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 May 2016 Cessna 172-R accident near Aix-les-Milles, FR?

A Cessna 172-R (F-HATK) crashed on May 20, 2016, at Aix-les-Milles after a hard landing. The aircraft caught fire, injuring the pilot and one passenger. The BEA attributed the accident to a pitch-down trim event.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 May 2016 Cessna 172-R accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 May 2016 involved a Cessna 172-R, registration F-HATK, at Aix-les-Milles, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was due to a pitch-down trim event during landing. The investigation could not clearly identify the cause of the trim movement but excluded pilot incapacity or voluntary action. A possible autopilot failure, specifically inappropriate trim command, was noted.

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