Incident Overview
On July 9, 2018, at approximately 11:00 local time, an ultralight multiaxes (ULM) Comco Ikarus C42-B with identification 87GQ crashed in a field near the aerodrome of Figeac Livernon in the Lot department. The aircraft was operating as a private general aviation flight from the ULM platform at La Geneytouze to Figeac Livernon. Both occupants, a pilot and a passenger, were killed in the accident, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Flight Details and Occupants
The pilot, aged 70, held a valid UL instructor qualification and a private pilot license (PPL(A)) that had been invalid since 2015. He had logged 2,124 hours on airplanes, though his specific experience with ULMs could not be determined. The passenger, also aged 70 and the owner of the aircraft, held an invalid PPL(A) from 2016 and a UL license, with 190 hours of airplane flight time.
Investigation Findings
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft at very low altitude, heading toward runway 11, before it appeared to "flap its wings" and collide with the ground. The wreckage was found in a stubble field approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold. All parts of the ULM were present, and flight controls were continuous. No anomalies were found in the fuel system or engine that would suggest a mechanical failure. The absence of skid marks indicated low horizontal speed at impact.
Meteorological Conditions
Météo-France estimated conditions at the site included wind from 010° at 10 knots with gusts between 15 and 18 knots, visibility over 10 km, a temperature of 25°C, and a QNH of 1,021 hPa. The tailwind component may have influenced speed management during the approach.
Conclusion
The Bureau d'Enquêtes et Analyses (BEA) concluded that the accident likely resulted from a low-altitude stall at low speed, probably during a direct approach to runway 11. The emergency parachute system was not deployed.