What happened
On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, at approximately 13:00 local time, a Robin DR400-160 registered F-HOLE crashed into a vineyard field near Bessan. The aircraft was operated by the Aéroclub de Béziers for a local circuit flight. The pilot sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The pilot took off from Béziers-Vias aerodrome at 12:30 to perform runway circuits. After completing four touch-and-go landings, he began his fifth circuit. During this leg, the air traffic controller requested an extended downwind due to an arriving commercial aircraft. The pilot reported an engine problem via a distress call and attempted a forced landing in a field to the north. He struck vegetation while turning toward the target field and crashed into the adjacent vineyard.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, engine components, and fuel system. The engine test bench revealed no mechanical malfunction or leaks that could explain the power loss. Examination of the fuel system showed the selector was in the CLOSED position at the time of impact. While the control rod was deformed by the crash, preventing post-impact movement, the BEA concluded the selector was likely already in the CLOSED position before the collision.
Fuel analysis confirmed the presence of AVGAS 100LL in the tanks with no contamination or free water. Data from the Click & Take Off application reconstructed the flight path, confirming the aircraft's trajectory toward the field. The pilot’s statement indicated he had selected the left tank at startup and attempted to switch to the right tank during the incident, but the engine did not restart.
Findings
The BEA concluded that the reduction in engine power was very probably caused by an erroneous action on the fuel selector. While attempting to change tanks, the pilot likely positioned the selector near the CLOSED position, cutting off fuel flow. The gradual nature of the power loss delayed the pilot's recognition of the issue until he requested more power.
Contributing factors included a probable confirmation bias regarding engine health and incomplete compliance with the in-flight engine failure procedure. The pilot’s limited recent experience on this specific aircraft type may have affected his response to the emergency, including speed management during the forced landing approach.