Fatal microlight accident during training flight at Lurcy-Lévis

Casualties unknown • French is the work of reference., FR

A Guerin G1 microlight crashed shortly after takeoff from Lurcy-Lévis aerodrome, resulting in the deaths of both the instructor and student-pilot.

What happened

On the morning of October 6, 2022, a Guerin G1 microlight, identified as 68ADW, departed from runway 2ability 24L at the Lurcy-Lévis aerodrome. The flight was an instructional session intended for a cross-country trip to Moulins aerodrome, marking one of the final stages of the student-pilot's training.

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft entered a steep left bank and collided with the ground approximately 300 meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact, which occurred with the left wing tip, caused the aircraft to spin to the left and subsequently catch fire. The collision resulted in two fatalities, claiming the lives of both the instructor and the student-pilot. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the wreckage, meteorological conditions, and the medical history of the crew. Examination of the wreckage was constrained by the extensive damage caused by the post-impact fire. Investigators were unable to verify the continuity of flight control linkages, the position of the flaps, or the engine's power setting at the moment of impact. No mechanical anomalies were identified during the wreckage inspection.

Meteorological data indicated relatively stable conditions, with a light northerly wind and visibility around 5 to 8 km. Regarding the crew, the instructor was a highly experienced pilot with approximately 18,800 hours on fixed-wing aircraft and 2,100 hours on microlights. While the instructor held a valid medical certificate for microlight flight issued by a general practitioner, a post-accident autopsy revealed significant medical findings.

Findings

  • The aircraft experienced a loss of control during the initial climb phase.
  • The instructor's autopsy revealed that his left anterior descending artery was more than 80% blocked.
  • The instructor was managing a complex medication regimen related to a pre-existing condition.
  • The investigation noted that the instructor's impaired cardiac function, potentially exacerbated by age and medication, could have impacted his ability to respond to an unexpected flight situation or student error.

Probable cause

The exact circumstances of the loss of control could not be definitively determined due to the lack of usable flight data; however, the investigation highlighted the potential for pilot incapacitation due to underlying cardiovascular disease and the physiological strain of managing unexpected flight maneuvers.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-10-06 Guerin G1 accident near French is the work of reference., FR?

A Guerin G1 microlight crashed shortly after takeoff from Lurcy-Lévis aerodrome, resulting in the deaths of both the instructor and student-pilot.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-10-06 involved a Guerin G1, registration 76OX, at French is the work of reference., FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact circumstances of the loss of control could not be definitively determined due to the lack of usable flight data; however, the investigation highlighted the potential for pilot incapacitation due to underlying cardiovascular disease and the physiological strain of managing unexpected flight maneuvers.

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