What happened
On Wednesday, October 29, 1997, at 16:50, a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-GBVP, was conducting its third solo cross-country flight from Chavenay to Orléans Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel. The aircraft was operated by a flying club and was piloted by a 37-year-old trainee with 72 total flight hours.
While flying near Etampes, the pilot lost all geographical references. The pilot did not attempt to contact air traffic services and lacked the necessary aeronautical documentation for the area north of Paris. Furthermore, the VOR frequencies previously prepared by the pilot failed to provide useful navigational information. As the flight progressed, the engine eventually stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot subsequently performed an emergency landing in a reed field measuring approximately 400 by 10 meters. There were no fatalities or injuries resulting from the incident, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of navigation and the subsequent engine failure. Investigators established that the pilot was navigating without adequate charts for the specific region and was unable to utilize radio navigation aids effectively. The investigation also confirmed that the engine failure was a direct result of the aircraft running out of fuel during the period of disorientation.