What happened
On 21 October 2012, a Rans S-6ES Coyote II was completing a private flight from EBCF to its home base at EBBZ. As the aircraft entered the landing circuit, the pilot requested that a taxiing aircraft delay its takeoff, as the pilot intended to land precisely when the aircraft's Hobbs meter reached the 1000-hour mark.
During the landing sequence, the aircraft transitioned from the downwind leg into a 180-degree right-hand turn to align with the runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft suddenly stalled and entered a right-hand spin, impacting the ground almost vertically near the runway 34 threshold. The impact resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) examined the wreckage, meteorological data, and the pilot's flight history. Investigators analyzed GPS data from previous landings at the airfield to understand the aircraft's typical flight path and the impact of wind conditions. The investigation also reviewed the flight manual provided by the Belgian importer, "Confluence."
Key elements of the investigation included:
- An analysis of the wind conditions, which featured an easterly component that made runway alignment more difficult.
- An evaluation of the pilot's mental state, specifically a phenomenon known as "mission-itis," driven by the desire to reach the 1000-hour milestone.
- A review of the flight manual's contents regarding stall characteristics and turning maneuvers.
Findings
- The pilot was performing a 180-degree turn to align with the final approach leg.
- The aircraft was flying at a speed near its stall threshold during an uncoordinated, skidding turn.
- The pilot's intense focus on reaching the 1000-hour Hobbs mark likely created a tunnel vision effect, preventing him from recognizing the danger or opting for a go-around.
- The flight manual lacked specific information regarding stall behavior during turns and contained overly optimistic descriptions of the aircraft's stall safety, which may have reduced the pilot's situational awareness.
Safety action
Following the investigation, the AAIU(Be) issued a recommendation to the importer, Confluence, to revise their flight manuals. The agency emphasized that manuals should provide objective, technical information and clear warnings rather than reassuring descriptions that might minimize the perceived risks of stalling.