What happened
On August 6, 2022, an FK9SW Mark VI microlight, registration 974PQ, was conducting an advanced instruction flight at the Cambaie microlight strip in Saint-Paul, La Réunion. The flight, intended to prepare a student pilot for passenger-carrying privileges, involved practicing "S" shaped approaches with the engine at idle to simulate engine failure scenarios.
During the final approach, the aircraft was observed by a witness performing a series of turns before rapidly losing altitude. The microlight struck a pebble beach near the threshold of runway 05 with a significant nosedown attitude. The impact caused the aircraft to flip onto its back, with a portion of the cockpit submerged in the surf. While the pilot sustained serious injuries, the instructor was fatally injured.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, onboard camera footage, and security camera recordings. The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration and the flight maneuvers leading to the impact. Investigators found that the aircraft's airframe parachute had not been deployed. While the flight controls were functional, the investigation revealed that the locking rod for the instructor's seat backrest was missing, having been moved to another aircraft earlier that day.
Analysis of the onboard camera and security footage showed that the instructor frequently intervened on the controls during the flight. The recordings also indicated that the instructor had removed his seatbelt shoulder straps during the flight and had not replaced them before the collision.
Findings
The loss of control was driven by several critical factors. The pilot was performing an "S" approach—a maneuver involving steep turns to rejoin the runway axis—which carries a high risk of instability. The presence of a tailwind component likely prompted tighter, more aggressive turns. The investigation concluded that the exercise was continued to a point where it could no longer be safely aborted.
The instructor's seat backrest was not secured, which may have caused the seat to move during maneuvers, potentially leading to uncontrolled or unintended control inputs. Additionally, the instructor's survival was compromised by the unsecured seat and the fact that he was likely only partially wearing his safety harness.