What happened
On the night of 26 February 2020, an unauthorized flight occurred at Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport. An individual, who possessed no pilot license or prior flying experience, entered the airport grounds by climbing over a barbed-wire fence. The individual boarded a Piper PA-44 Seminole, registration F-GCJE, which had been left unlocked at a nearby maintenance hangar.
Because the aircraft's engines could be started without a key, the individual was able to start both engines and taxi to the V taxiway. At approximately 02:20, the aircraft took off from the taxiway, which was in use despite the runways being closed for night operations due to maintenance. The aircraft flew at a low altitude south of the Perpignan control zone for roughly one hour. At approximately 03:17, while performing a turn, the aircraft entered a nose-up attitude followed by a sudden nose-down attitude. The aircraft subsequently made a high-energy impact with the ground in a field, resulting in one fatality and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the BEA, utilized security camera footage and witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events. Investigators examined the wreckage and the accident site, located approximately 8 NM southeast of the airport. Meteorological data indicated a dark night with significant wind gusts up to 34 knots and turbulent conditions.
Technical examinations of the Piper PA-44 Seminole revealed no mechanical failures or engine issues that contributed to the crash; the engines were delivering power at the time of impact, and the landing gear and flaps were retracted. The investigation also confirmed that the airport's lighting systems were unavailable due to scheduled works, and the aircraft was left unsecured by the flight school.