Fatal ultralight crash near Bernay following unapproved wing modifications

Casualties unknown • Folleville, FR

A hang glider-style ultralight crashed in a field near Folleville, France, resulting in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On October 31, 2017, a group of pilots participated in a recreational flight involving two ultralight hang gliders and two light aircraft. After departing from Le Havre and meeting other pilots at Saint Romain de Colbosc, the group had lunch near Bernay. Following the meal, the aircraft departed for their respective destinations. While one light aircraft headed toward Dieppe and the ultralight group began their return to Le Havre, the aircraft identified 76-GX disappeared from view.

The wreckage of the 76-GX, a Dynamic 15 ultralight, was later located in a plowed field approximately five kilometers north of the Bernay runway. Witnesses on the ground reported seeing the aircraft fly over a local road and observed an object separating from the aircraft before it entered a spiral descent and struck the ground.

The investigation

The BEA examined the wreckage of the 76-GX, which featured a custom-built carriage and a Rotax 912 A engine. While the engine and propulsion system showed no mechanical anomalies, investigators found a significant tear in the fabric of the right wing. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the wingtips had been modified by the owner with the installation of winglets, a modification that had not been validated by the manufacturer.

Toxicological and autopsy results for the pilot showed no findings that could explain the accident. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with a ballistic parachute.

Findings

  • The investigation could not definitively determine the exact cause of the loss of control, though possibilities include pilot distraction following the loss of an aircraft component, a technical failure, or a sudden medical event.
  • Unapproved wingtip modifications (winglets) likely contributed to lateral or longitudinal instability, as the pilot had previously experienced a tendency for the aircraft to pull to the left.
  • The absence of a ballistic parachute meant there was no secondary means of recovery once the pilot lost control of the aircraft.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the loss of control remains undetermined, but the investigation highlights that unapproved structural modifications to the wingtips likely created aerodynamic instability, which may have been exacerbated by the loss of an aircraft component during flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-10-31 l’ULM pendulaire accident near Folleville, FR?

A hang glider-style ultralight crashed in a field near Folleville, France, resulting in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-10-31 involved a l’ULM pendulaire, registration 76-GX, at Folleville, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause of the loss of control remains undetermined, but the investigation highlights that unapproved structural modifications to the wingtips likely created aerodynamic instability, which may have been exacerbated by the loss of an aircraft component during flight.

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