What happened
On 21 September 2019, a Super Petrel LS microlight, registration 60VL, was performing local flight maneuvers over Rabodanges Lake in Putanges-le-Lac, France, as part of a 60th-anniversary celebration. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, had previously completed a successful flight over the lake earlier that day.
During the second flight, the pilot executed a series of maneuvers, including a low-altitude pass over spectators and a 180-degree turn to align for a final approach to a temporary water landing surface. Shortly before the accident, the pilot received a radio alert from a ground observer regarding canoes crossing the intended landing zone. While attempting the final approach, the aircraft struck a power line consisting of three cables. The impact caused the aircraft to collide with the ground, where it subsequently caught fire. The two fatalities were the pilot and the passenger; emergency responders present at the lakeside were able to contain the fire following the impact.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed data from two Dynon Avionics flight recorders (D1/D120) and reviewed video footage captured by witnesses. The investigation established that the aircraft was structurally intact and the engine was functioning normally at the time of the collision. The pitot tube showed evidence of impact with a power cable.
Technical examination of the site revealed that the power lines were positioned at a height of approximately 12 meters. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's preparations, noting that while the pilot had identified obstacles and calculated approach slopes, no reconnaissance flight had been conducted at the site prior to the event. Furthermore, the regulatory review determined that the flight did not meet the specific criteria of an "air exhibition" under existing French law, meaning it was not subject to the same stringent safety coordination requirements as a formal airshow.
Findings
- The pilot chose an atypical flight path intended to provide a better view for spectators, which complicated the positioning for the planned final approach and reduced visibility of obstacles.
- The pilot continued the approach after being distracted by radio communications regarding the presence of canoes in the landing zone.
- The flight was conducted in a restricted environment without a prior reconnaissance flight to verify the site's specific hazards.