What happened
On February 4, 2010, at 12:57 UTC, a mid-air collision occurred near Saint-Martin-de-Nigelles, France, involving a Piper PA28-151, registration F-BXPQ, and a Jabiru UL 450 ultralight, identification 28-AGV.
The pilot of the 28-AGV had departed from the Pierres ultralight airfield for a local flight. Simultaneously, a student pilot was conducting a solo navigation flight in the F-BXPQ, having previously landed at L'Aigle and Alençon. The two aircraft were flying in Class G uncontrolled airspace.
Radar data and wreckage analysis indicate that the aircraft were on conflicting trajectories, approaching each other at a constant bearing. The collision occurred near the Bois de Saint-Martin. The impact was severe; the F-BXPQ sustained significant damage to its upper fuselage and vertical stabilizer, while the 28-AGV suffered structural failure, including a severed wing strut and landing gear. Both aircraft crashed into a wooded area, and both pilots were killed in the accident.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, radar tracks, and flight logs of both pilots. Investigators reconstructed the collision geometry using impact marks on the aircraft. Analysis of the F-B..'s engine cowling showed tire marks from the 28-AGV, and the 28-AGV's wing strut showed traces of aluminum from the F-BXPQ's propeller.
Radar analysis revealed that the F-BXPQ was being tracked, but the 28-AGV was not detected by secondary radar, suggesting the ultralight pilot likely had not activated the transponder. The investigation also looked into the visibility conditions, which were good, with high visibility and no significant cloud cover.
Findings
- The collision occurred in uncontrolled Class G airspace.
- Both aircraft were on conflicting flight paths.
- The failure of visual detection prevented the pilots from identifying the approaching aircraft in time to take evasive action.
- The small size of the ultralight made it difficult to detect until the very last moment, creating a significant element of surprise.
- The investigation noted that the lack of onboard traffic detection systems contributed to the inability to maintain separation.