What happened
On October 10, 2012, a Socata Rallye 110 ST, registration F-GBXQ, was performing a VFR navigation training flight. After landing at Toulouse Blagnac to transit via Rodez, the crew experienced a brief delay due to a suspected stuck brake, which was subsequently cleared. Following engine and brake checks, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff from runway 3/2R at 15:46.
During the initial climb, while passing the control tower at a low altitude, the instructor issued a Mayday distress call, reporting a problem with the left flight control. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a sharp left bank and a steep nose-down attitude, impacting the ground. The accident resulted in two fatalities (the instructor and the student) and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the flight controls and the cockpit environment. Examination of the wreckage revealed no prior defects in the control chains, and no tools were found inside the cabin. However, investigators noted a tablet computer in the cockpit that showed deformation consistent with an impact against a control column or rudder pedal tube. While tests with identical hardware did not replicate a blockage, the possibility of loose objects interfering with controls was considered.
Radar data indicated the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of approximately 200 feet. The investigation also ruled out wake turbulence, as the preceding heavy aircraft (an Airbus A320) had departed eight minutes prior. Additionally, the investigation examined the training and communication protocols, noting that the flight manual for F-GBXQ lacked specific emergency procedures for flight control malfunctions.
Findings
- The accident was caused by an anomaly in the use of flight controls, likely within the roll control system, though the exact nature of the malfunction could not be determined.
- The lack of specific emergency procedures in the aircraft's flight manual for control failures contributed to the difficulty in managing the situation.
- The presence of loose objects in the cockpit, specifically a tablet, presented a potential risk of obstructing control movement.
- The highly unusual nature of the emergency, combined with high emotional stress, made immediate diagnosis and appropriate action difficult for both the pilot and the air traffic controller.