History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, departed from Couhé-Vérac aerodrome at 15:30 for a local flight. Initially planning a cross-country flight to Saint-Jean-d'Angély - Saint-Denis-du-Pin, she changed course due to adverse weather. At approximately 15:50, she flew northward toward the departure aerodrome. At 15:54, about 500 m from the threshold of runway 02, she turned right to join the start of the downwind leg for a left-hand circuit to runway 20.
Witnesses observed a dark cloud mass approaching from the north-west, with rain beginning at the aerodrome. A heavy, short shower passed over the field shortly thereafter.
The pilot flew the downwind leg deviating from the extended runway centerline, then turned onto base leg at 15:55. On final approach, the aircraft’s path was not aligned with the runway. The pilot continued descending, and the aircraft collided with chestnut trees bordering a path approximately 50 m to the right of the edge of runway 20.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GBUY, equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2A engine. It had a forward-sliding canopy and, like many light aircraft, no windshield wiper system. Maintenance records showed no pre-existing issues. Weight and balance were within limits for the flight. Fuel quantity before the accident flight could not be precisely determined, but calculations indicated sufficient fuel.
Aerodrome and Meteorological Conditions
Couhé-Vérac aerodrome has a main grass runway 02/20, 1,040 m by 80 m, with a displaced threshold on runway 20 (101 m). The VAC chart indicates a row of chestnut trees on the right side of runway 20, with the highest tree tops at 561 ft, 62 ft above the displaced threshold. A 2021 audit found that runway side markings were sand-colored instead of required white, although no discrepancy was noted for the trees.
Meteorological conditions featured a low-pressure system with unstable westerly flow and scattered showers. At the accident time (around 16:00), estimated conditions included wind from 320° at 10 kt gusting to 25 kt, visibility 2–3 km, overcast sky with cumulonimbus and towering cumulus, and temperature 10°C. A rain shower passed over the aerodrome between 15:45 and 16:00. The sun was at an azimuth of 225.5° and elevation 11.66°, positioning it 25° to the right of the runway 20 centerline at low altitude.
Site and Wreckage
The wreckage was found at the base of a row of chestnut trees. The first tree struck (tree A) had damaged branches at about 20 m height. Tree B, approximately 30 m further, had large branches (50 cm) torn off at about 10 m height. Most of the wreckage lay near tree C, about 10 m beyond. The trees were indicated on the aerodrome's VAC chart.