What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-06-05 involved a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-GEKL, at FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the decision to perform a simulated engine failure maneuver in a hilly environment, compounded by the aircraft's limited climb performance and potential downdrafts from the terrain.

Robin DR 400-120 strikes terrain during engine failure drill

A flight training exercise involving a simulated engine failure led to a controlled flight into terrain in the Pyrenean foothills.

What happened

On June 5, 2014, a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-GEKL, was conducting a flight training session near Hasparren, France. The flight was a refresher session for a student pilot who had not flown for six months, accompanied by an experienced instructor. During the flight, the crew performed a simulated engine failure exercise in a hilly area.

At an altitude of approximately 150 feet, the instructor determined the exercise was successful and instructed the student to perform a go-around. The student pilot applied power and engaged the carburetor heat. While the aircraft initially climbed at a rate of 500 feet per minute, the climb rate quickly diminished. As the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude and the crew determined they could not clear the terrain to the left or right, the instructor took control of the aircraft, aiming for the lowest part of the approaching hill. The aircraft subsequently struck a fence post while traversing rising terrain, resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft.

The investigation

The investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the aircraft's performance, and the flight profiles. At the time of the accident, the wind was from the east at approximately 10 knots, and the temperature was 25 °C. The flight was conducted on a southeast heading, positioned leeward of a north-south oriented ridge, which could have produced downdrafts.

The crew's experience levels were noted, with the instructor holding a professional license and approximately 9,000 flight hours, while the student pilot had approximately 350 hours. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's performance capabilities, noting that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits and that a 500 ft/min climb rate was consistent with the flight manual for the prevailing conditions.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was the decision to conduct an engine failure exercise in hilly terrain.
The aircraft's climb performance was insufficient to maintain the necessary trajectory during the go-around.
The surrounding terrain likely obscured the pilots' natural horizon, complicating spatial orientation.
The presence of an easterly wind may have generated downdrafts near the ridge, further impacting the climb.
The use of an aircraft with less power than the crew was accustomed to may have contributed to the inability to clear the obstacle.