What happened
On 26 September 2016, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk, registered N615VB, departed Saint-François, Guadeloupe, for Marie-Galante under VFR conditions. The flight, carrying the pilot and two passengers, was intended to be a short 20-minute trip. While the initial departure conditions were favorable, a tropical wave was rapidly developing in the area.
As the aircraft approached runway 09 at Marie-Galleante, it encountered intense thunderstorm activity characterized by heavy rainfall, squalls, and high electrical activity. Radar tracking showed the aircraft at approximately 600 feet near the runway threshold before it disappeared from radar. A witness reported seeing the aircraft flying at a low altitude before it entered a squall. The aircraft subsequently struck the water in a nose-down attitude, resulting in three fatalities.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the meteorological conditions, the flight path, and the aircraft's mechanical state. Investigators examined radar imagery, which confirmed that significant thunderstorm activity had rapidly developed over Marie-Galante shortly before the accident.
Examination of the wreckage, recovered about a month later, showed that the right side of the airframe sustained the primary impact damage, suggesting the right wing struck the water first. The investigation confirmed that the flight controls, including the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and flaps, were fully functional and intact at the time of impact. The engine's crankshaft showed signs of failure due to torsional loading upon impact, but no mechanical malfunctions were found that could have caused the crash. The investigation also noted that the pilot had closed his flight plan approximately five nautical miles from the destination, which effectively terminated the alerting service and delayed the launch of search and rescue operations.
Findings
- The pilot underestimated the rapid development of the tropical wave and the associated thunderstorm activity.
- The pilot failed to update meteorological information between the initial briefing and takeoff, despite the dynamic nature of the weather.
- The presence of heavy rain and the flight over water likely deprived the pilot of essential visual references during a low-altitude maneuver.
- The aircraft likely entered a right-hand turn to attempt a missed approach or turnaround, during which it encountered severe windshear or squall line phenomena, leading to a loss of control.
- The decision to continue the flight may have been influenced by a scheduled professional commitment involving the passengers.