History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by two passengers, departed from Cahors-Lalbenque aerodrome at 09:15 for a flight to the Pyrenees, with a planned stop at Bagnères-de-Luchon. The route southwards passed over Montauban at 6,300 ft and Saint-Gaudens at 9,100 ft. The pilot climbed to 10,000 ft near Peyresourde mountain airfield before heading towards Bagnères-de-Luchon. After passing north of the installations in descent, he entered the valley on a southerly heading and joined the published circuit for runway 19. He initially announced an intention to land on runway 01, then corrected to runway 19. Judging that he was above the approach slope, he aborted the landing after crossing the threshold. The aircraft did not touch the runway. The pilot increased power, raised the nose, and commenced a climb without retracting the flaps (still in landing configuration). Witnesses, including instructors, described a steep climb at low speed with the aircraft oscillating in roll. They saw the aircraft turn left and its right wing stall overhead the municipal golf course less than 500 m southeast of the aerodrome. The aircraft struck tree tops, hit the ground, bounced, and came to rest between trees on the golf course. A witness on the ground helped the slightly injured occupants evacuate. The left side of the aircraft immediately caught fire, which then spread to the entire cabin.
Pilot Information
The 65-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) with a SEP (T) rating obtained in 2007. He had approximately 645 flight hours, including 14 hours on type. He had flown to Bagnères-de-Luchon twice before, once with an instructor and once alone, landing on runway 01 both times. He stated he was not aware of the risks associated with a south-facing landing despite knowing some characteristics of the aerodrome. He reported that the carburettor heat control was pushed in and not used due to the high temperature.
Meteorological Information
Estimated weather at Bagnères-de-Luchon at 10:30: wind from 070° at 2 kt, CAVOK, QNH 1015, temperature 30 °C.
Wreckage and Site
The accident site was on the fairway of hole 4 of the Bagnères-de-Luchon golf course. The aircraft slid on grass and stopped between trees. The post-impact fire destroyed the fuselage, leaving only metal parts. Examination of the engine found the carburettor heat control pushed in, as stated by the pilot.
Additional Information
Bagnères-de-Luchon is an uncontrolled aerodrome in a mountainous region with a reference altitude of 2,028 ft. The VAC chart indicates preference for runway 01 and includes special instructions: the aerodrome is reserved for aircraft that can safely follow the nominal circuit; for runway 19, pilots must fly parallel west of installations, cross the runway axes over the signal area, join downwind at 2,800 ft, and perform a right turn of more than 180° to line up final. The chart notes the aerodrome is not recommended with a south wind and recommends first-time pilots be accompanied by a pilot familiar with the procedure. Due to vegetal obstacles on the east side, go-arounds must be flown on the runway axis to 400 ft. The aerodrome's VAC chart does not specify that aborting a south-facing approach is a difficult manoeuvre that requires sufficient height to clear obstacles, with a U-turn near high terrain and no natural horizon.
Conclusions
According to the investigation, the pilot was not aware of the specificities of using Bagnères-de-Luchon aerodrome. He aborted his south-facing approach at low height because he was too high on the slope. Witnesses observed the aircraft climbing at low speed and steep angles in landing configuration, unstable in roll, which corresponds to flight on the backside of the power curve. The pilot then lost control, and the aircraft very probably stalled in a turn as he attempted to continue the climb. The report identified contributing factors including an unstabilised approach, non-identification of risks, insufficient hazard emphasis on the VAC chart, absence of a natural horizon during go-around, high density altitude, failure to reconfigure flaps, and late go-around. Safety lessons noted the aerodrome's specificity, risks of flying on the backside of the power curve, and management of carburettor heat at high temperatures. The French Aeronautical Federation (FFA) implemented measures after the accident including publishing an ICARUS sheet, providing explanatory videos, and emphasizing recent experience and prior reconnaissance for mountain aerodromes.