Ultralight collision with high-voltage power lines in France

Casualties unknown • Arvieu, FR

A Skyranger Rotax 912 UL ultralight crashed into high-voltage power lines during a simulated engine-out exercise, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On June 24, 2018, a Skyranger Rotax 912 UL ultralight, identified by the number 32GV, departed from the Cassagnes-Bégonhès aerodrome in France for a local flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the flight, the pilot initiated a descent that stabilized on a north-east heading.

Data from the aircraft's Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) indicates that approximately two minutes before the impact, the engine RPM dropped from a cruise setting of 4,50 and the fuel flow decreased, signaling a reduction in power. In the final seconds of the flight, the pilot increased power in an attempt to execute a go-around. However, at an altitude of approximately 60 feet, the aircraft struck the lower cable of a 225 kV high-voltage power line. The impact caused the aircraft to flip onto its back and crash into a field, resulting in two fatalities.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to conduct a simulated engine failure maneuver at an altitude too low to safely recover from an obstacle, combined with the difficulty of spotting the high-voltage lines, led to the fatal collision.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-06-24 l’ULM Skyranger Rotax 912 UL accident near Arvieu, FR?

A Skyranger Rotax 912 UL ultralight crashed into high-voltage power lines during a simulated engine-out exercise, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-06-24 involved a l’ULM Skyranger Rotax 912 UL, registration 32GV, at Arvieu, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to conduct a simulated engine failure maneuver at an altitude too low to safely recover from an obstacle, combined with the difficulty of spotting the high-voltage lines, led to the fatal collision.

Loading the flight search…