What happened
On the morning of Sunday, 16 April 2023, a pilot arrived at the Billy-sous-Mangiennes microlight strip to perform runway circuits. After completing pre-flight inspections and taxiing several times on the runway, the pilot took off alone from runway 25. While on short final approach, the pilot lost control of the RANS S12 (identified 55JU). The aircraft entered a high nose-down attitude and struck the ground approximately 345 meters before the runway threshold, subsequently rolling onto its back. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the microlight.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, which was found inverted in a field near the airfield. The investigation noted that the right wing had likely contacted the ground first, with structural damage consistent with a sudden, high-impact collision. A visual inspection of the Rotax 582 UL DCDI engine showed no mechanical anomalies, and the engine remained free to rotate.
Regarding the pilot's history, the investigation established that the 78-year-old pilot had not flown for seven years due to serious health issues. This flight was intended as a refresher flight. While the pilot held a valid medical certificate issued by his general practitioner, the investigation focused on the pilot's physiological state during the flight.
Findings
- The investigation could not definitively determine the exact cause of the loss of control.
- An autopsy of the pilot revealed significant arterial lesions, specifically within the aorta and coronary arteries, with narrowings of 80% to 90%.
- These medical conditions could lead to fainting or death under conditions of physical stress or moderate exertion.
- The pilot had not consulted a federal medical specialist regarding his ability to fly following his long-term medical treatments.