What happened
On April 1, 2018, an Air Creation Kiss 450 ultralight, identified as 38-XE, was conducting a local flight from the La Tour du Pin-Cessieu airfield. The flight, operated privately, included the pilot and one passenger.
During the final approach for a landing facing west-northwest, the aircraft entered a turn. According to the passenger, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and dropped below the intended glide slope. Although the pilot applied full power in an attempt to regain height, the aircraft struck a treeline approximately 30 meters high. The impact caused the pilot to lose control, leading to a subsequent crash into the ground roughly 150 meters before the runway threshold. The accident resulted in one fatality and one injury.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and the accident site, which was located in a field upstream of the runway threshold. Analysis of the aircraft indicated that the engine was delivering power at the time of the event. The damage to the delta wing and the cockpit was primarily attributed to the impact with the ground, though debris from the trees was found scattered along the flight path.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience and flight logs. The pilot had been flying ultralights since 2010 and had completed approximately 170 hours on this specific aircraft. This flight was the pilot's first of the 2018 season.
Additionally, investigators examined the airfield's visual approach chart (VAC). The chart notes a hill and a 30-meter treeline near the runway threshold for west-facing landings. The prescribed traffic pattern for ultralights at this airfield is a right-hand circuit at 500 feet, designed to avoid overflying the trees.
Findings
- The investigation could not determine the specific cause of the excessive movement in the control trapeze reported by the passenger during the final turn.
- This movement resulted in a significant loss of altitude.
- The proximity of the treeline prevented the pilot from regaining sufficient height, despite the application of engine power.
- The loss of control was directly caused by the aircraft's collision with the treetops.