What happened
On 16 February 2020, a Piper PA28-161, registration F-OGKO, crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Douglas-Charles airport in Dominica. The aircraft was part of a four-plane excursion organized by a flying club, traveling from Guadeloupe to Dominica for a tourist trip.
While the outbound flight took place during the day, a series of delays throughout the day—including changes in destination and logistical issues—resulted in the return leg occurring at night. The aircraft took off from runway 09 at approximately 18:43. Shortly after departure, the air traffic controller noted that the pilot's radio responses were hesitant. Within minutes, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The plane reached an altitude of approximately 750 feet before descending to 550 feet and striking the water roughly 1.6 nautical miles from the runway threshold. All four persons on board were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the BEA with the participation of the ECCAA, examined the flight sequence, the pilots' experience, and the organizational aspects of the excursion. Investigators analyzed radar data, air traffic control communications, and meteorological reports. The investigation also reviewed the maintenance records of the aircraft and the flight training backgrounds of the two pilots on board.
Search and rescue operations were launched by French and Dominican authorities, but despite extensive efforts by helicopters and boats, the wreckage and victims were not located. Debris, including a section of the wing spar and landing gear, was later found floating in the sea.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident:
- Spatial disorientation: The sudden transition from a lit runway to total darkness over the sea, compounded by a dark, moonless night and rain, likely caused the pilot to lose visual references.
- Lack of experience: Both pilots in the front seats had limited flight experience and lacked recent experience in night flying. One pilot had not flown at night since 2014.
- The 'group effect': Strong time pressure and a desire to adhere to the group's schedule led the crew to proceed with a night VFR flight despite the risks. The decision to fly at night was reached by consensus among the group members to avoid the logistical difficulties of staying overnight.
- Organizational failures: The excursion lacked professional oversight, as no instructor was involved in the organization or the flight, and the flight plan was updated to include night flying without a formal risk assessment of the pilots' capabilities.