What happened
On 1 July 2015, a Piper PA28-181, registered F-HEHM, was performing a VFR ferry flight from Montpellier to Perpignan. The pilot intended to pick up the aircraft to return it to a flight school. While the weather at Montpellier was improving, significant cloud layers and low ceilings persisted along the coastal route.
During the flight, the pilot encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions. After initially cruising at 3,500 ft, the pilot requested a descent to 2,000 ft and later to 1,000 ft to attempt to fly beneath the cloud layer. The pilot also reported flying around a cloud mass and turning inland toward higher ground. At approximately 11:30, while flying at an altitude of roughly 690 ft, the aircraft struck high terrain near the village of Treilles. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined the flight sequence, meteorological reports, and air traffic control communications. Investigators reviewed the actions of other aircraft in the area, noting that two other VFR flights had already decided to divert or turn back due to the low ceilings near the coast. The investigation also analyzed the handover process between air traffic controllers at the Montpellier Approach unit and the availability of weather information provided to pilots.
Findings
- The pilot's determination to reach the destination and overconfidence due to his familiarity with the route likely led him to continue the flight despite deteriorating weather.
- Reduced visibility caused by the cloud layer and fog at the terrain peak likely prevented the pilot from identifying the high terrain in time.
- The controller's instruction to maintain VMC conditions was given, but the pilot had already begun descending into terrain-obscured areas.
- There was a lack of systematic transmission of non-routine meteorological observations and pilot reports to VFR pilots by the control unit.
- Information regarding adverse weather was not consistently shared during controller handovers, meaning incoming controllers may not have been aware of the specific hazards present along the coastal route.