What happened
On 10 October 2021, a RANS AIRCRAFT INC. S-6ELS COYOTE II SPORT WING, identified 974LY, was conducting a commercial sightseeing flight near Saint-Paul de la Réunion. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, was part of a group of four microlights flying a route through the island's cirques. Due to approaching weather from the east, the flight plan was modified to focus on the Cirque de Mafate and Cirque de Cilaos.
Upon reaching the Maïdo viewpoint, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn at an altitude estimated to be between 200 and 400 feet above the plateau. The intention was to allow the passenger to view the drop below the viewpoint. During this maneuver, the aircraft's altitude decreased significantly. The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient clearance and the aircraft struck the cliff face approximately 15 to 20 meters below the viewpoint. The impact was nearly head-on, and the aircraft slid down the rocky terrain. The accident resulted in two fatalities and the destruction of the microlight.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered video footage from both a passenger in a following aircraft and tourists at the viewpoint. Analysis of the wreckage confirmed that the flight control linkages were intact and the airframe parachute had not been deployed prior to impact. The aircraft was also found to be operating above its maximum permissible take-off weight.
Video analysis established that the bank angle of the aircraft increased from 30° to over 50° in the five seconds leading up to the collision. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight history and local meteorological conditions. While the air mass at altitude appeared stable, a rescue helicopter crew reported encountering severe turbulence near the cliff face, likely caused by orographic microturbulence or rotor phenomena.
Findings
- The pilot performed low-altitude maneuvers very close to the terrain, likely to enhance the passenger's experience.
- The pilot's attention was likely diverted by the desire to satisfy the passenger, leading to a loss of situational awareness regarding the aircraft's altitude.
- The pilot had a pattern of gradually reducing safety margins and flying at increasingly lower altitudes over the terrain.
- The lack of a specific regulatory framework for commercial microlight sightseeing flights contributed to the reduction of safety margins, as the organizing company had no operational involvement in flight safety.