What happened
On 20 August 2022, a DTA Dynamic Feeling 912UL Diva (registration 77BIQ) was performing an introductory sightseeing flight at Meaux-Esbly, France. The aircraft, operated by France ULM, was being flown by a pilot who had already completed several instructional and introductory flights earlier that day.
Shortly after departing from runway 25L, the pilot initiated an acceleration stage followed by a climb. During this climb, the pilot applied heavy pressure to the control bar to increase the pitch attitude. Video evidence from an onboard camera shows that the pilot briefly released and then reapplied pressure to the control bar, and at one point looked away from the flight path to his right.
At an altitude of approximately 50 to 60 meters, the wing suddenly stalled and the aircraft entered a forward dive. The aircraft then began a series of rapid rotations on its pitch axis, a phenomenon known as tumbling. The aircraft fell almost vertically, colliding with the ground on the runway approximately 500 meters from the takeoff point. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, flight control linkages, and the wing structure. The investigation confirmed that the flight control linkages remained continuous and that the wing was properly attached to the trike according to the manufacturer's manual. No mechanical failures or structural defects were identified in the wing, engine, or control bar prior to the loss of control. Analysis of the engine's audio recording confirmed it was running continuously until the impact.
Investigators also reviewed onboard camera footage, which provided a precise timeline of the pilot's inputs and gaze. The investigation compared the pitch attitude during the accident flight to previous videos of the same aircraft, noting that the pitch angle during the fatal flight was significantly steeper than in prior successful flights.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a wing stall occurring during a climb at a steep pitch attitude.
- The pilot's inputs, including a heavy application of pressure to the control bar, created a pitch attitude that exceeded safe limits for the maneuver.
- A lack of concentration or potential overconfidence, possibly due to the repetitive nature of the flights performed that day, may have contributed to the pilot's diminished alertness and diverted attention during a critical phase of flight.