What happened
On September 30, 2023, a Calidus gyroplane, identified by the registration 02AHO, was participating in a formation flight with four other microlight aircraft near Reims – Prunay. The group was flying in an extended formation toward Château de Boursault before turning east toward Cumières. During the flight, the pilot of 02AHO notified the group that he was leaving the formation.
While attempting to perform a precautionary landing, the pilot flew at a low altitude of approximately 150 feet over the Marne river. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a high-voltage power line crossing the river at a height of about 45 meters. The collision resulted in one fatality (the passenger) and one injury (the pilot). The aircraft was destroyed in the crash.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage located in the Marne river and analyzed data from the aircraft's Rotax 914 UL engine computer. The engine computer showed that all parameters, including engine speed, were nominal during the twenty minutes preceding the accident, with no recorded exceedances. Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the rotor mast had undergone torsional deformation, suggesting the rotor was spinning at the time of impact. The tail boom deformation indicated the aircraft likely overturned during its descent into the water.
Regarding the pilot's account, the pilot stated that he experienced a temporary radio failure and a sudden engine shutdown, which he successfully restarted in flight. He reported that he was searching for a suitable landing site and chose to fly over the river to reach a second field after the first was deemed unsuitable due to an obstacle. However, the investigation could not confirm the reported engine or radio malfunctions.
Findings
- The pilot's flight path involved flying at a high speed and very low altitude (150 feet) over the river, which did not allow for a safe precautionary landing.
- The pilot identified the power line only seconds before the collision, leaving insufficient time for evasive action.
- While the safety harnesses were functional, investigators noted that the release mechanism could potentially fail to release the tongue if specific pressure was applied to the buckle and release button simultaneously.