What happened
On 8 April 2017, a JODEL D 92 “Bébé” homebuilt aeroplane was performing a local flight at the Tournai/Maubray airfield in Belgium. The pilot, who had recently acquired the aircraft, intended to perform a series of flight exercises, including stalls, at an altitude of 600 meters.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft accelerated normally and lifted off at approximately 80-85 km/h. Shortly after leaving the ground, the pilot's attention was diverted by family members standing near the runway who were filming the takeoff. While distracted, the aircraft developed an excessive nose-up attitude, causing the airspeed to drop despite the engine operating at full power.
As the aircraft flew at a height of only 10 to 20 meters, the pilot attempted to correct the pitch and then reacted to a sudden loss of height by pulling back on the elevator. This input, combined with the low airspeed, triggered a stall and a right-hand turn. The pilot attempted to use the ailerons to counteract the turn, but this reflex actually intensified the asymmetric stall and induced a spin. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold, causing significant damage to the airframe and the separation of the engine and fuel tank from the fuselage. The pilot escaped the wreckage without physical injury.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) examined the flight history, the aircraft's airworthiness status, and video footage of the event. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition with valid certificates. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot was a licensed private pilot with significant hours in other single-engine aircraft, he had very little experience operating low-inertia aircraft like the JODEL D 92.
Findings
- The direct cause of the accident was an excessive nose-up attitude that led to a stall during the takeoff phase.
- The pilot was distracted by the presence of family members filming the maneuver, which prevented adequate monitoring of the aircraft's airspeed and attitude.
- The pilot's lack of experience with low-inertia aircraft meant he was less prepared for how sensitive the elevator inputs are in this specific model.
- An incorrect recovery reflex—using ailerons to counter the incipient spin—exacerbated the loss of control.