What happened
On July 17, 2018, a Socata TB20, registration F-GDMQ, departed from Ghisonaccia aerodrome for a flight to the island of Elba. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. During the flight, the pilot performed a low-altitude, high-speed pass along the coastline near the beach of San Giuliano to greet relatives present on the shore.
While maneuvering close to the shoreline, the aircraft struck the water's surface a few meters from the beach. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce several times before breaking apart. The wreckage was recovered from the sea at a depth of approximately three to four meters, scattered over a 200-meter area. The accident resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation utilized radar data, GPS logs from an onboard Garmin 295, and analysis of a smartphone recovered from the wreckage. Digital photos found on the device captured flight parameters just seconds before the impact. One photo taken approximately one second before the collision showed an indicated airspeed of 167 kt, a nose-down attitude of about 12 degrees, and a slight right bank.
Investigators examined the wreckage to determine the configuration of the aircraft. While the landing gear lever was found in the extended position, the lack of significant deformation on the gear and the aircraft's flight performance suggested the gear was likely retracted at the time of impact. The engine was delivering power at the moment of impact. Additionally, the investigation noted that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate had expired on June 18, 2018, due to a financial dispute between the owner and the maintenance organization.
Findings
- The pilot performed a highly dangerous low-altitude maneuver at high speed.
- The pilot likely misjudged the aircraft's altitude and failed to arrest the descent in time to avoid the water.
- The aircraft's flight profile, characterized by increasing speed and a constant descent gradient, was inconsistent with the drag that would have been produced if the landing gear had been extended.
- Flying at such low altitudes over water is extremely hazardous due to the difficulty of accurately estimating height above the surface.