What happened
On the afternoon of May 24, 2023, a Dornier Do 228 aircraft, registered F-PZRE, was performing a flight near Saint-Brieuc, France. The flight was part of a mission involving aerial photography and mapping. During the flight, the pilot encountered a period of significant turbulence. Following this encounter, the aircraft experienced a loss of control, leading to a crash into a wooded area.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the impact with the terrain. Investigators examined the aircraft's flight path and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The inquiry also looked into the operational context of the aerial photography mission and the impact of the encountered turbulence on the aircraft's stability.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a period of severe turbulence during the mission.
- This turbulence resulted in a loss of control of the aircraft.
- The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in a wooded area.
- The accident resulted in one fatality, the pilot.