What happened
On February 23, 2009, an Aeropro Eurofox ultralight, identified as 974-JA, departed from Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds for a local sightseeing flight. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot notified the AFIS agent of his intention to switch to a self-information frequency.
At approximately 7:35 a.m., a witness observed the aircraft flying at an extremely low altitude over Cilaos, passing south of the Bonnet Carré landmark before entering the Bras Rouge canyon heading north. The aircraft was not reported missing until several hours later, and the wreckage was discovered five days after the disappearance. The aircraft was found at an altitude of 1,590 meters, largely destroyed and burned at the bottom of the canyon. Evidence from the wreckage suggests the aircraft struck the canyon wall, specifically the right wing tip, before falling almost vertically to the canyon floor.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path through the narrow and winding Bras Rouge canyon, where the walls are steep and the terrain rises significantly over short distances. Investigators examined the wreckage and noted that the aircraft's takeoff mass was approximately 499 kg, which exceeded the manufacturer's maximum allowable mass by 49 kg.
Witness accounts indicated that the pilot frequently flew at very low altitudes, even in areas with challenging aerology. The investigation also considered the environmental conditions at the time of the accident, noting that much of the canyon was in shadow, which likely impacted the pilot's ability to judge terrain and obstacles.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors that led to the collision with terrain:
- The pilot's decision to operate in marginal conditions, specifically flying at very low altitudes within a narrow canyon.
- Impaired visual perception caused by the rapid alternation between bright sunlight and deep shadows within the canyon.
- Complex aerology, including potential downdrafts caused by east-sector winds.
- Reduced maneuverability of the aircraft due to the fact that the takeoff mass exceeded the maximum limit.
There were two fatalities in the accident.