What happened
On the afternoon of May 24, 2023, a Jodel DR400 aircraft, registration F-GZRE, was performing a flight in the vicinity of Saint-Brieuc. The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and was on a flight path toward the Saint-Brieuc aerodrome.
During the flight, the pilot encountered a period of low visibility due to heavy rain and low clouds. While attempting to navigate the weather conditions, the aircraft descended into a field located near the commune of Saint-Brieuc. The impact caused significant damage to the airframe. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident and the flight path of the aircraft. Investigators examined the weather reports from the Saint-Brie and Saint-Brieuc aerodromes, which confirmed that the area was experiencing heavy rain and reduced visibility.
Technical analysis of the aircraft and the flight sequence established that the aircraft was flying in conditions that were difficult for VFR navigation. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight plan and the operational environment to determine how the aircraft entered the low-visibility zone.