What happened
On the afternoon of March 5, 2003, a Rutan Cozy amateur-built aircraft, registered F-POZY, crashed in the hamlet of Montouvrard, near Allevard. The flight was a local private excursion involving the pilot and two passengers, who were colleagues of the pilot. The flight originated from the Challes-les-Eaux aerodrome.
Following a pre-flight inspection, the pilot departed at 12:20. Witnesses in the area observed the aircraft performing low-altitude maneuvers, including S-turns and climbs and descents, which resembled an aerial display. Shortly before the impact, witnesses noted the aircraft executing a tight left turn in front of several houses before striking the ground at high speed. The aircraft collided with a pile of wood located in front of a residence, causing the airframe to disintegrate. The debris field extended approximately 80 meters along a south-to-north axis.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage and the flight path leading to the impact. Examination of the site confirmed that the engine was producing power at the moment of collision. All control surfaces, including the ailerons, vertical stabilizers, and the canard, were recovered. However, due to the extensive damage to the airframe, investigators were unable to definitively establish the continuity of the flight controls.
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were reported as having visibility greater than 10 kilometers, with broken clouds at 7,000 feet and winds from 140 degrees at 6 knots to 15 knots.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident resulted in three fatalities, including the pilot. The primary cause of the accident was an erroneous estimation of the environment and the aircraft's performance.