What happened
On July 9, 2018, a Comco Ikar．us C42-B ultralight, identified as 68ADW, was conducting a private flight from La Geneytouze to the Figeac Livernon aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger.
As the aircraft approached the threshold of runway 11, a witness near the accident site observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude with the engine running. The witness reported seeing the aircraft appear to buffet or "wing rock" before it struck the ground in a flat attitude. The impact occurred in a stubble field approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage, the flight path, and the environmental conditions. The wreckage of the 68ADW was found intact, with all components present and the flight controls remaining continuous. Examination of the engine and fuel systems revealed no mechanical anomalies or failures that could have caused a loss of power. Additionally, the aircraft's emergency parachute was not deployed.
Meteorological data indicated a temperature of 25°C and visibility exceeding 10 km. Winds were recorded from 010° at 10 knots, with gusts reaching between 15 and 18 knots. The investigation noted that the lack of skid marks on the ground suggested the aircraft had a low horizontal speed at the moment of impact.
Findings
Investigators concluded that the accident was caused by a stall at low altitude and low airspeed during a direct approach to runway 11. The presence of a tailwind component may have contributed to the loss of control by affecting the pilot's management of the approach speed.