What happened
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, at approximately 09:30 local time, a Jodel DR1050 Ambassadeur registered F-BJOZ crashed shortly after departing Châteauroux – Villers aerodrome. The aircraft was conducting a local flight in the north sector when the pilot reported an engine failure to air traffic services at 09:19 while at 2,500 feet. After attempting a restart, the pilot returned to the departure aerodrome.
Eyewitnesses observed the aircraft approaching runway 04 at high speed. At a low altitude of a few meters, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the subsequent right-hand turn, which was executed with a steep bank angle and at an altitude not exceeding 150 feet, the engine appeared to lose power or misfire. The pilot lost control of the aircraft in a steep right bank, and it collided with the ground approximately 400 meters from the end of the runway. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA examined radar data, radiocommunication recordings, and wreckage analysis. The transponder mode C was unavailable, limiting altitude data accuracy. Wreckage examination revealed the forward fuel tank was empty while the aft tank contained several liters of fuel. The carburettor bowl was found empty, but the gascolator filter and electric pump contained fuel. The magneto selector key was broken in the OFF position.
Technical examinations of the propulsion system identified an abnormally high fuel level in the carburettor bowl and black soot on spark plug electrodes, suggesting an excessively rich air/fuel mixture. This condition could have contributed to a flame-out. Additionally, components of the electrical and ignition system showed signs of wear and aging. Fuel analysis indicated reduced volatility in the aft tank, potentially linked to the aircraft's low usage rate (approximately 13 hours in the preceding year) and the accumulation of older fuel.
The pilot held a Private Pilot Licence with over 190 total flight hours but had logged only 36 minutes in the three months prior to the accident. The last flight as pilot-in-command was on May 16, 2025. The aircraft, built in 1960, operated under a Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness (CDNR), with the owner responsible for defining maintenance intervals.
Findings
The BEA concluded that the pilot encountered an intermittent engine failure during a local flight. Upon returning to the aerodrome, the pilot executed a missed approach at low altitude. Witnesses reported high speed and a long landing configuration. During the go-around, the engine likely lost power completely in the final seconds of flight.
The investigation could not definitively determine the root cause of the power loss but identified several contributing factors: an excessively rich mixture potentially causing flame-out, aged electrical and ignition components, and degraded fuel quality due to low usage. The pilot's decision to perform a U-turn rather than landing straight ahead in a clear field may have been influenced by a desire to avoid further damage to the aircraft, given its history of maintenance issues.
Safety action
The BEA highlighted that partial or progressive engine degradation is less frequently addressed in training compared to total power loss. In such scenarios, pilots may be tempted to attempt a circuit or U-turn, which can lead to loss of control if airspeed is not properly managed for the bank angle. The report emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate airspeed during maneuvers with degraded engine performance.
Additionally, the BEA noted that on older aircraft, intermittent anomalies or signs of aging may indicate advanced component degradation even if scheduled inspections do not reveal specific failures. Owners responsible for continuing airworthiness under CDNR regulations should consider in-depth checks or preventive replacement of components based on the aircraft's age, history, and operating conditions.