What happened
On 31 August 2020, a TeST TST-3 Alpin TM self-launching glider microlight, identified by the number 32DH, crashed near the Condom Valence-sur-Baïse airport in France. The pilot, who had not flown this specific aircraft since September 2018, performed a takeoff from runway 29 without external assistance.
Following takeoff, the aircraft performed a brief level flight acceleration lasting only two to three seconds. Data from a portable GNSS computer indicated that the ground speed averaged approximately 70 km/h. After passing the end of the runway, the pilot attempted a right turn, likely toward the intended destination at Forques. During this maneuver, the aircraft's speed decreased, leading to a loss of control. The microlight entered an autorotation and struck a cultivated field approximately 280 meters from the runway threshold with a steep, nose-down attitude. The impact resulted in one fatality and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and the flight path reconstructed from GNSS data. Investigators found that the engine was delivering power at the time of impact and the fuel tank still contained two liters of fuel. The aircraft's air brakes were retracted, and the self-launcher was deployed. The investigation also noted that the pilot's left pedal was pressed down.
Witnesses at the airfield reported encountering strong uplift and turbulence in the area during the time of the accident. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flying history, noting a significant period of inactivity in this specific aircraft type.