What happened
On September 14, 2022, a Piper PA46 (registration N9190X) was conducting a remunerated passenger transport flight from Épinal - Mirecourt to Amiens - Glisy. The flight, organized via an online platform, carried the pilot, the aircraft owner, and three passengers.
As the aircraft approached Amiens, the pilot encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and thunderstorms that significantly reduced visibility. After an initial approach was aborted because the pilot realized the aircraft was overrunning the available runway length, two subsequent visual approaches were attempted. During these maneuvers, radar data and communications indicated the aircraft flew below 1,000 ft and deviated from published VFR or IFR paths, passing over the city of Amiens.
On the final attempt, the pilot relied on the PAPI lights for guidance but mistakenly offset the aircraft to the right, believing the lights were positioned on the left side of the runway. Upon identifying the runway to his left, the pilot turned to align with the centerline, which resulted in a stall and a hard touchdown on the runway, causing damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight's sequence of events, including radar tracks, radio communications, and the aircraft's technical capabilities. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making during the approach, the impact of the weather, and the regulatory framework surrounding private passenger transport for remuneration. Investigators also reviewed the crew's cooperation and the role of the passengers during the approach phases.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the unsafe approach conditions, most notably the pilot's lack of preparation regarding the specific operating conditions at Amiens, including the absence of an AFIS agent and the actual position of the PAPI lights. Additionally, the pilot was not fully aware of the aircraft's specific navigation capabilities or the limitations of its onboard equipment for the required approach.
Other contributing factors included:
- The pilot's failure to comply with published flight paths, increasing the risk of obstacle collision.
- Inadequate crew resource management, as the aircraft owner occupied the right-hand seat without the necessary ratings or experience.
- The presence of a passenger intervening during one of the approach attempts.
- A lack of regulatory clarity regarding the responsibilities of platforms, pilots, and passengers in private remunerated transport.
Safety action
The BEA has issued a safety recommendation to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to establish specific regulatory requirements. The goal is to ensure passenger safety and define clear responsibilities for all parties involved in on-demand passenger transport conducted outside of standard commercial air transport operations.