What happened
On 8 March 2022, between 16:00 and 16:30, a KITFOX microlight, registration 27ADS, crashed near the Bernay Saint-Martin aerodrome. An eyewitness observed the aircraft taking off from runway 10, performing a level acceleration without any visible abnormalities. However, a second witness later spotted the aircraft at a very low altitude near the threshold of runway 28. The wreckage was discovered a few meters past the runway 28 threshold, positioned approximately three meters left of the centerline and oriented in the opposite direction of the initial takeoff.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's medical history. Examination of the KITFOX revealed that the cabin was destroyed and the engine was embedded in the ground. The damage to the wings and the violent breakage of the flight controls (rudder, elevator, and flaperons) indicated that the aircraft struck the ground with significant energy and a heavy nose-down angle. No mechanical failures were identified in the engine or the airframe.
Meteorological data showed clear skies and good visibility, though winds were gusting up to 20 knots. The pilot's medical records indicated a history of coronary artery disease and heart muscle fibrosis, with several heart attacks occurring after 2012. While the pilot's microlight license did not require a formal medical certificate, the investigation examined the impact of his known pathology on the flight.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the ground with high energy and a significant nose-down attitude.
- No technical or mechanical failures contributed to the accident.
- The pilot may have experienced a cardiac event during the flight due to his documented history of coronary artery disease and heart muscle fibrosis.