Cirrus SR22 G3 GTS Accident at Château-Arnoux Saint-Auban (N78TL)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On June 27, 2018, a private general aviation flight departed Locarno, Switzerland, at approximately 08:40 local time, carrying a pilot and one passenger. The aircraft, a Cirrus SR22 G3 GTS registered N78TL, landed at Cannes at 09:55 before departing again at 11:20 for its final destination, the uncontrolled airfield at Château-Arnoux Saint-Auban. Around 11:45, the pilot joined the traffic pattern at approximately 900 feet, initially intending to land in the grass in the northern part of the airfield. However, during the final approach, the pilot shifted the landing point to the southern section, specifically targeting the paved mini-strip SE2, which is 290 meters long and 7 meters wide, and is reserved for gliders. The pilot reported landing on the mini-strip at 78 knots. Upon realizing the aircraft could not stop within the airfield limits, the pilot initiated a go-around. The aircraft lifted off but struck the treetops outside the airfield perimeter during the initial climb. The aircraft was cushioned by the trees and came to rest a few meters above the ground in a wooded area below the plateau.