What happened
On the afternoon of the accident, a flight crew consisting of a type rating examiner and a student pilot departed from Beaune-Challenges Airport at 13:26 local time. The mission was a training flight intended for a multi-engine piston (MEP) Class qualification. Shortly after the initial departure, the crew encountered an issue where the landing gear failed to extend. After performing a visual inspection that showed no obvious malfunctions, the crew returned to the airport and performed a second takeoff at 14:05 local time to proceed with the training.
Following the completion of several training exercises and touch-and-go maneuvers at Dijon-Darois Airport, the crew prepared to return to Beaune. The descent toward the destination was conducted under adverse weather conditions characterized by rain and a low cloud ceiling. As the aircraft approached the airport, the examiner instructed the pilot to begin the approach sequence. During the descent, the pilot lost visual contact with the terrain due to the cloud cover. Upon observing vegetation ahead, the pilot attempted a course correction, but the aircraft struck trees and crashed into a vineyard. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft. Both occupants sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The descent was performed in poor meteorological conditions, including rain and low ceilings.
- The pilot lost visual reference with the ground during the approach phase.