What happened
On November 23, 2007, a Reims Aviation F152, registration F-GLGR, was performing a ferry flight from Pamiers to Graulhet. The flight was intended to transport the aircraft to a specialized workshop for scheduled maintenance.
At approximately 9:15 AM, the pilot contacted the Toulouse Flight Information Service (SIV) to report that he had turned back just before reaching Graulhet due to deteriorating weather, and was returning to Pami 1500 feet. The final radio communication occurred at 9:22 AM, and radar contact was lost at 9:28 AM. The aircraft subsequently struck trees in a wooded area at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet. The impact caused the horizontal stabilizers to hit the trees while the aircraft was in level flight, leading to structural failure and a post-impact fire that destroyed the wreckage. The pilot was killed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft wreckage, radar tracks, and meteorological data. Witnesses near the crash site observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude from the northwest to the southeast before it was obscured by clouds, followed by the sound of the collision.
Investigators analyzed the weather forecasts available to the pilot prior to departure. The TEMSI France weather map for the morning of the flight had predicted mist, visibility below 1.5 km, and two cloud layers starting at 600 and 1,500 feet. While the investigation could not determine the exact weather conditions the pilot was experiencing at the moment of impact, the available forecasts indicated challenging flying conditions. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the aircraft's maintenance status, noting that a scheduled radio equipment inspection had been postponed several times due to weather, and the airworthiness certificate was due for renewal by November 27.
Findings
- The pilot demonstrated a strong desire to reach the destination airfield despite the weather.
- There was a late decision to interrupt the flight.
- No technical failure of the aircraft was identified prior to the collision.