What happened
On the night of 28 September 2019, a Cessna 206 (registration F-HSTL) operated by SAS Albi parachutisme departed Albi - Le Séquestre aerodrome for an improvised night flight. The flight's purpose was to perform a single parachute drop at FL100. The pilot had previously contacted the Blagn and Toulouse FIS supervisor to announce his intentions; while the supervisor did not object, he requested that the pilot maintain contact with the FIS during the drop.
The aircraft took off from runway 27 without airport lighting. After climbing to approximately 6,400 ft, the pilot descended to 4,300 ft, likely due to cloud cover preventing the planned climb to FL100. At 00:48, the pilot executed the parachute drop at 4,500 ft. While attempting to return to the aerodrome, the aircraft struck dense vegetation on a hillside approximately 2,200 m southeast of the runway 27 threshold. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and one injury to the pilot, who managed to escape before the wreckage caught fire.
The investigation
The BEA examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed no mechanical defects or engine power fluctuations prior to the crash. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, the flight path via radar data, and meteorological conditions. Radar analysis confirmed a constant descent rate of approximately 1,100 ft/min in the final minute of flight, with no evidence of engine failure.
Investigators also analyzed radio communications, noting that the pilot's transmissions were often unclear and long-winded. Toxicology tests performed on the pilot upon his admission to the hospital confirmed the presence of alcohol in his system, which witnesses stated was consumed during a party prior to the flight.