History of the Flight
The pilot, owner of a Cirrus SR22 (G2) registered N565CK, departed from Oyonnax-Arbent aerodrome at around 17:00 for a cross-country flight to Auxerre-Branches aerodrome under a night VFR flight plan. At 17:49, the pilot contacted the AFIS officer, stating he would arrive in two to three minutes. The AFIS officer reported runway 36 in use, wind from 040° at 6 knots, QNH 1022 hPa, visibility 5 km, mist, and maximum runway lights. The pilot read back correctly. One minute later, the AFIS officer noted mist at 100 ft agl according to his weather system, adding that the sky was not visible and he could not confirm visually due to night. At 17:53, the pilot reported being overhead the runway. The AFIS officer instructed to call back on downwind leg. The pilot reported downwind leg, confirmed sight of the runway, and was asked to call on final. He read back at 17:54, which was his last transmission. Shortly after, the AFIS officer inquired if he still had the runway in sight but received no reply. Multiple attempts to contact the pilot failed. At 17:56, the AFIS officer contacted Seine FIS, who confirmed N565CK was no longer on radar. Search and rescue operations were activated.
Radar data showed the aircraft overflew the aerodrome at 17:53 at about 2,000 ft QNH, then made a left descending turn. The last radar point at 17:55 was at 1,175 ft. The wreckage was found approximately two kilometers southwest of the threshold of runway 36.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was located on both sides of a field bank and a road. A group of trees about 20 m tall was at the south end of the field, but no impact marks with treetops were observed. The initial ground impact point was about 50 m from the tree fringe. Ground scars, damage, and debris distribution indicated the aircraft struck the ground with high energy, a high left roll angle, and a low nose-down angle. The left wing tip contacted the ground first, causing the aircraft to pitch forward; the engine separated, and the aircraft came to rest inverted and caught fire. Flight control linkage continuity was verified, but the flap configuration at impact could not be determined due to damage. Analysis of flight and engine data from the Avidyne EX500 MFD showed no technical failure.
Pilot Information
The 54-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) since 2007 and a valid Class 2 medical certificate. He had no instrument rating. His logbook showed about 330 total flight hours, including 230 hours as pilot-in-command and about 200 hours on type. He had flown about five hours in the previous three months, all on N565CK. He obtained night flight approval in 2007 after five night flight hours, including two hours solo. No additional night flight hours were logged between 2007 and the accident. The autopsy revealed no elements that could have contributed to the accident.
Meteorological Information
The investigation could not determine if the pilot obtained forecast weather information. The 16:00 SIGWX chart placed Auxerre at the north edge of an area of low clouds, mist, and fog. Météo-France analysis indicated conditions conducive to mist and fog due to moist air and light wind. Sunset was at 16:52. The night was dark with no moon and the presence of mist and fog. Weather station data at Auxerre (altitude 520 ft) showed degraded conditions between 17:00 and 18:00 due to fog formation; the sky was not visible. At 17:49, visibility was about 5 km; at 17:55 (accident time), minimum visibility over ten minutes was about 900 m. The fog/mist risk chart showed zero risk at 17:00 and high risk at 18:00.
Statements
The AFIS officer stated he extended his duty to wait for the pilot, who had called earlier to ask about filing a night flight plan. The officer felt the pilot seemed lost and unsure how to manage the night flight. He noted that two days prior, the pilot attempted seven landings at Auxerre in similar fog/mist conditions without success and was advised to divert; he subsequently diverted to Oyonnax. The instructor pilot who flew with the pilot to Oyonnax on the day of the accident reported that the pilot seemed worried about the night return flight and quickly left the aircraft upon arrival to attend to N565CK.