What happened
On 21 September 2014, a Robin DR400-160, registration F-GGQF, was conducting a pleasure flight from Lens Bénifontaine to Vitry-en-Artois. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. After an initial flight to pick up passengers, the pilot intended to fly toward Dieppe for a break before returning to Vitry-en-Artois. However, due to deteriorating visibility, the pilot decided to return directly to the original airfield.
Upon arrival at Vitry-en-Artois, the pilot struggled to accurately judge the wind direction. While performing the circuit for runway 12, the pilot entered a final turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a sudden drop, banking sharply to the left with a nose-down pitch. The pilot attempted to reduce power and level the wings, but the aircraft struck the ground in a ploughed field approximately 250 meters from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in two injuries and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's flight path, and the pilot's physiological state. Technical examinations of the Robin DR400-160 revealed no mechanical anomalies; the engine was properly fueled, and the carburetor heater was functional. GPS data and in-flight photographs taken by a passenger allowed investigators to reconstruct the flight path, revealing that the pilot was using non-standard, shortened circuit patterns and flying at higher speeds than recommended.
Investigators also analyzed the pilot's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Based on post-accident testing, it was determined that the pilot's BAC was approximately 0.06% at the time of the accident, following alcohol consumption during lunch and prior to takeoff. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the flight club's oversight mechanisms regarding pilot experience and recent flight activity.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the accident:
- The pilot's decision to fly while under the influence of alcohol, which likely impaired judgment and coordination.
- An incorrect mental representation of the wind direction, which caused the pilot to unknowingly perform a landing approach with a tailwind component.
- The use of non-standard, shortened circuit patterns that reduced safety margins.
- A high workload during the final turn, involving managing speed, configuration, and a tight flight path.
- The flight club's inability to enforce rules regarding mandatory instructor flights following periods of inactivity, which prevented the detection of the pilot's degrading flight standards.