What happened
On 14 July 2022, an Ekolot JK-05L Junior microlight, registration 76PV, was engaged in a cross-country flight from Eu-Mers – Le Tréport to Havre-Octeville, with a scheduled stop at Saint-Valéry – Vittefleur. The flight included another microlight traveling in formation.
As the aircraft prepared for departure from Saint-Valéry – Vittefleur, a layer of sea mist was advancing toward the aerodrome. The pilot of the preceding microlight had already departed, performing a low-altitude turn to avoid the approaching cloud layer. Upon taking off, the pilot of 76PV initiated a steep nose-up climb. Witnesses observed the aircraft then enter a sharp left turn, which transitioned into a spiral dive. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground approximately 200 meters left of runway 24 at a high speed and steep nose-down attitude. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the destruction of the microlight.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, the aircraft's maintenance history, and meteorological data. Investigators found that the engine was operational at the moment of impact, as evidenced by the condition of the propeller blades. While the control linkages showed no signs of mechanical failure, a discrepancy was noted in the airspeed indicator; the instrument's markings did not match the flight manual, showing a Velocity Never Exceed (VNE) of 205 km/h instead of the manual's specified 180 km/h.
Meteorological analysis confirmed that sea mist was moving inland toward the coast. While earlier forecasts for the destination had been clear, updated reports and satellite imagery showed deteriorating visibility and low clouds at the time of the accident. Witnesses at the aerodrome reported that the pilot had been warned of the approaching mist but had expressed a desire to depart quickly to avoid being trapped by the weather.
Findings
- The pilot performed a non-standard takeoff maneuver, characterized by a steep climb and sharp turn at a low altitude, in an attempt to avoid the incoming sea mist.
- The pilot lost control of the aircraft's flight path during this maneuver.
- The decision to depart was influenced by several contributing factors, including insufficient consideration of the hazards posed by the advancing sea mist and the immediate warning signs of its arrival.
- The pilot's familiarity with the local sea mist phenomenon may have led to overconfidence.
- The pilot may have been influenced by the preceding aircraft's departure, attempting to follow a similar path to avoid the clouds.