What happened
On March 31, 2019, an amateur-built Epic LT departed Cannes-Mandelieu, France, on a private flight bound for Frankfurt-Egelsbach, Germany. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and two passengers. During the approach, the flight transitioned from IFR to VFR. As the aircraft approached the airfield, the pilot was navigating a complex airspace structure and descending through various altitudes.
While on the final approach to runway 08, the pilot requested to perform an orbit. At approximately 15:27 local time, while executing a left-hand turn at a very low altitude, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled state. The aircraft banked sharply, stalled, and entered a spin-like descent, impacting the ground approximately 600 meters northwest of the runway threshold. The impact triggered a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The 3 fatalities occurred as a result of polytrauma sustained during the impact.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined radar data, radio communications, and wreckage evidence. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's flight path, noting that the aircraft was descending and turning at low altitudes. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, the aircraft's technical specifications, and the operational procedures of the operator. The wreckage analysis showed the engine was running at the time of impact, as evidenced by soil ingestion into the compressor. The investigation also considered the cockpit's visibility limitations and the lack of specific stall warning systems in this particular aircraft model.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot maneuvering the aircraft into an overstressed flight condition during a low-altitude turn, leading to a wing drop and subsequent stall.
- The pilot attempted a non-standard approach that did not meet stabilized approach criteria, specifically continuing the descent despite being unable to maintain a stabilized profile.
- The pilot's attention was heavily divided due to high workload, including managing airspace transitions, responding to ATC instructions, and attempting to locate the runway.
- The aircraft lacked an automated stall warning system, such as a stick pusher or shaker, which is present in the later E1000 variant.
- The complex airspace structure around Frankfurt-Egelsbach made maintaining a stabilized approach difficult for turbine-powered aircraft.
- Limited forward-downward visibility from the pilot's seat due to the aircraft's design contributed to the late recognition of the runway.