What happened
On 14 August 2021, a private flight involving an ITV Boxer 2 Medium (identified 76YD) resulted in a fatal accident near Életot. The pilot was performing a takeoff from a private microlight strip located approximately 700 meters south of a cliff overlooking the English Channel. The takeoff was performed into the wind.
During the initial climb, at an estimated altitude of between 10 and 15 meters, a witness observed the wing moving backward. The pilot subsequently lost control of the aircraft, which rolled to the right and struck the ground. Although emergency services intervened, the pilot lost consciousness approximately fifteen minutes after the impact and later succumbed to his injuries. One fatality was recorded.
The investigation
The BEA examined the aircraft's wing with the assistance of a specialist. The inspection revealed that the wing was in excellent, near-new condition, and all rigging complied with the manufacturer's specifications. No mechanical anomalies were found that could account for the backward movement of the wing observed by witnesses.
Meteorological data from Le Havre indicated a northerly wind of 7 knots, while local witnesses reported a north-north-easterly wind of approximately 10 knots, describing the conditions as ideal. The investigation also considered the proximity of a 90-meter-high cliff located 700 meters north of the takeoff site.
Findings
- The pilot was a 72-year-old holder of a class 1 microlight license.
- An autopsy found no medical factors contributing to the accident.
- The engine remained running following the collision with the ground.
- The primary contributing factor was likely aerological instabilities, such as rotors, created by the nearby 90-meter cliff, which may have caused the pilot to pass ahead of the wing and lose control during the climb.