What happened
On March 10, 2017, an Alpi Aviation Pioneer 200 ultralight, identified as 34-AMD, was involved in a fatal accident at the Langogne Lespéron aerodrome. The flight, which was a private general aviation mission, began with a departure from Puy-Loudes. After landing at Langogne Lespéron and parking near the hangars, the pilot and a passenger prepared for a second takeoff from runway 04.
Following rotation, witnesses observed the aircraft climbing and turning left, flying at a low altitude over the aero club hangars toward the west. The aircraft then performed a second left turn, heading back toward the aerodrome without gaining significant altitude. A witness reported seeing the aircraft at a low altitude on a south-east heading, noting a continuous engine sound, before the aircraft suddenly pitched down and struck the ground in a nearby field, subsequently catching fire.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and the site of the impact. The investigation revealed that the left wing tip broke upon impact, followed by the propeller. The three propeller blades were broken, suggesting the engine was rotating at the time of collision. While the propeller hub showed minimal damage, which could indicate low torque during impact, the investigation of the Rotax 912UL engine and its associated fuel, electrical, and lubrication systems was severely limited due to fire damage. No specific engine anomalies were identified that would confirm a loss of power.
The pilot, aged 71, had held a multi-axis ultralight license since 1996. Autopsies of the pilot and passenger found no medical factors that could explain the loss of control. The aircraft was equipped with a ballistic parachute, which deployed on the ground following the fire.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of control at low altitude, preventing the pilot from recovering the flight path before impacting the ground.
- While the low torque observed during the engine examination suggests the possibility of a power loss after takeoff and a subsequent attempt to return to the aerodrome, the investigation could not definitively confirm this scenario.
- The investigation was unable to establish the specific circumstances or the exact trajectory that led to the loss of control.