Incident Overview
On August 4, 2009, at 13:53 UTC, a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk with registration F-GCFP crashed into the Mediterranean Sea approximately three nautical miles east of Canet-Plage, France. The aircraft was operated by an aeroclub for local flight instruction. Both occupants, a 71-year-old instructor and a 45-year-old student pilot, were killed in the accident.
Flight Progression
The aircraft departed Perpignan aerodrome on runway 15 for circuit training. Shortly after takeoff, the instructor informed air traffic control that they would cancel the circuits and proceed to waypoints "Novembre" and "Sierra Charlie" for maneuvers. While flying south at 3,500 feet, the aircraft entered a slight descent before rapidly losing altitude. The instructor declared an emergency moments before impact.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed significant structural damage, including a folded left wing and a broken spar, consistent with a steep nose-down attitude upon water impact. The engine was delivering power at the time of the crash, and no mechanical malfunction was identified. Autopsy results confirmed that the student pilot died from cardiac and pulmonary complications prior to impact. At the moment of collision, the student's body had slumped forward over the flight controls.
Probable Cause
The accident resulted from a loss of control during an instructional exercise. The student pilot’s death caused him to slump forward, blocking the flight controls. The instructor was unable to regain control before the aircraft struck the water. The use of two-point lap belts, rather than full harnesses, contributed to the occupant's forward movement.