What happened
On December 10, 2018, a Cirrus SR22 GTS, registration F-HUGE, crashed in the vicinity of Beaubery, France. The flight, operated by Aéroclub Agile, was a VFR mission from Lognes-Émerainville to Villefranche-Tarare, carrying a pilot and two passengers.
During the flight, the crew encountered changing weather conditions, including cloud layers and rain. While the aircraft initially flew above the clouds, the pilot began a descent toward FL045. During this phase, the pilot performed several rapid adjustments to the autopilot settings and altitude selections. The aircraft's flight path became increasingly unstable, characterized by frequent heading changes and manual interventions that countered the autopilot's commands.
At approximately 11:22 local time, the aircraft entered a steep left turn with an inclination exceeding 90 degrees and a nose-down attitude. The aircraft subsequently struck the treetops and the ground with high energy, resulting in three fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA investigation utilized data from the PFD (Primary Flight Display) computer, mobile phone data, and radio communications. The investigation examined the aircraft's S-TEC 55X autopilot system, the engine, and the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS).
Investigators analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting the presence of stratocumulus and cumulus clouds, rain, and moderate icing between 3,000 and 8,000 feet. The wreckage analysis confirmed that the aircraft struck the trees with a slight right bank before impacting the ground with high energy. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the professional motivations for the flight.