What happened
On 18 February 2020, a Robin DR400-180, registration F-GZSA, was conducting a local flight along the French coast. The pilot departed from Saint-André de l’Eure aerodrome, intending to fly via Étretat and Fécamp. During the flight, the pilot communicated with air traffic control to report that he was maneuvering to avoid a squall. At one point, the controller reminded the pilot that altitude changes in the class-D airspace required prior coordination, a remark that appeared to irritate the pilot.
After performing U-turns near Cap d’Antifer and Étretat, the pilot announced his intention to continue toward Le Havre. Shortly after 15:37, witnesses on the beach and in Fécamp observed the aircraft descending in a steep, nose-down attitude. The engine noise became increasingly loud as the aircraft approached the sea. The aircraft struck the water near the Fécamp semaphore, resulting in one fatality and the destruction of the aircraft. Neither the wreckage nor the pilot's body were recovered, though small debris from the wing and seat were found on a nearby beach.
The investigation
The BEA examined the aircraft's maintenance history, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's background. The Robin DR400-180 had undergone a 100-hour inspection approximately five months prior, and maintenance records showed no issues likely to have contributed to the accident. Meteorological data indicated the presence of a depression with showers, significant vertical cloud development, and strong winds, with gusts reaching 45 knots at sea.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's recent history. While the pilot held a valid medical certificate and relevant licenses, he had not flown an airplane in the six months preceding the accident. Furthermore, statements from the pilot's partner suggested he had been facing significant personal, professional, and financial difficulties, including severe sleep deprivation in the week leading up to the flight.
Findings
- The investigation could not definitively identify the cause of the aircraft's rapid descent.
- Because the main wreckage was not recovered, investigators could not rule out a technical failure occurring prior to the impact.
- The pilot's recent personal hardships and lack of recent flight experience may have influenced his decision-making during the final stages of the flight.