What happened
On July 29, 2018, two gyrocopters departed from the Usseau ultralight airfield in France, intending to fly to a gathering at the Mouchamps airfield. The first aircraft, a Magni M2 22 Voyager identified as 79EP, and the second, an ELA 10-Eclipse R 914UL identified as 79LH, were flying together for a personal cross-country flight.
During the flight, the two aircraft entered into a mid-air collision. Eyewitnesses observed the 79EP strike the 79LH from the rear left at approximately a 45-degree angle, with the rotor blades of the 79EP striking the engine block of the 79LH. Following the impact, the 79EP plummeted immediately into a field, where it caught fire upon impact with the ground. The 79LH also caught fire in flight due to the collision; it continued to fly briefly before crashing into the ground approximately 400 meters away from the first wreckage. Both pilots were killed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the physical evidence at the crash sites. While the BEA did not perform the site examination itself, the wreckage analysis showed that the flight controls of both aircraft were intact prior to ground impact. The wreckage of the 79EP was found concentrated, with rotor blades still attached to the hub, though blade tips showed damage consistent with mid-air contact. The 79LH wreckage was more dispersed, with the rotor detached and one blade broken in two, suggesting the rotor struck the ground while still spinning at high RPM.
Data from a navigation application (SDVFR) recovered from a tablet in the 79EP revealed a 10-degree rightward course change approximately two to three minutes before the accident. This change was consistent with radio communications heard by witnesses, in which the pilots discussed navigating around the town of Fontenay-le-Comte to the right.
Findings
- The mid-air collision was the primary cause of the accident.
- The pilots were flying together, having agreed to adjust speeds to maintain visual contact.
- There was no evidence of mechanical failure; the aircraft were in good working order prior to the impact.
- The investigation noted that the pilots may have been distracted by their navigation tablets, potentially leading to a loss of situational awareness and a failure to maintain the necessary 'see and avoid' vigilance required when flying in close proximity.