What happened
On April 7, 2014, a Grumman G164B, registration F-GSYB, departed from the unpaved runway 10 at Narbonne aerodrome for a crop-spraying mission. The flight was intended to target a pond located approximately 4 nautical miles south of the airfield.
Shortly after takeoff, while maintaining an altitude of roughly 20 meters, the pilot initiated a left turn to establish a crosswind leg. During this maneuver, the left wings struck the tops of trees. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground and subsequently catch fire. The pilot was able to evacuate the wreckage on his own.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's flight path, and the mechanical condition of the engine. The aircraft, a single-seat biplane, was configured for aerial application with a large tank for phytosanitary products. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying approximately 750 kg of spray product and 200 kg of fuel.
Investigators examined the wreckage and the engine, finding no mechanical failures that could explain the accident. While the fire destroyed the control cables, preventing a full verification of flight control continuity, the control surfaces remained attached. The investigation also noted that the pilot's visibility toward the front and downward was limited due to the engine position and the low-wing configuration.
Findings
- The aircraft's takeoff mass was approximately 2,500 kg, which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight of 2,360 kg.
- The pilot's flight path, characterized by a low-altitude turn, was likely a deliberate choice to perform a low pass over a group of journalists present at the airfield for a photography assignment.
- The collision with the trees was the immediate cause of the crash and subsequent fire.