What happened
On December 17, 2007, a student pilot operating a Reims Aviation F172 M, registration F-BVIF, departed Besançon–La Vèze for a solo cross-country flight. The flight plan involved two legs, with stops at Chalon-Champforgeuil and Bourg-Ceyzériat. The pilot departed at 09:11 UTC, ahead of a scheduled meeting with an instructor.
After landing at Chalon-Champforgeuil at 09:50 UTC, the pilot refueled and departed again at 10:26 UTC, climbing toward 3,50 and heading for Bourg-Ceyzériat. Near the town of Pont-de-Vaux, the aircraft was observed flying at an extremely low altitude of approximately 50 meters. Witnesses reported the aircraft entering and exiting patches of fog while performing several low-level turns. At 10:44 UTC, the aircraft struck a field bordered by trees, resulting in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the meteorological conditions. Investigators examined the aircraft wreckage, which showed no mechanical failures prior to impact; the engine was still delivering power at the moment of collision. Radar data indicated a brief loss of contact near Pont-de-Vaux, suggesting a descent into the fog layer.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's training records and communications. It was noted that the pilot's PPL(A) theoretical exam was nearing its expiration date. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the interactions between the pilot and the instructor, specifically regarding the authorization and preparation for this solo flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to continue the flight in deteriorating meteorological conditions.
- The pilot failed to adequately account for weather reports that indicated the presence of mist and freezing fog in the Saône valley.
- The pilot's determination to complete the solo cross-country flight to meet a training deadline—before the expiration of his theoretical exam—likely influenced his decision to proceed.
- Ambiguity in communications between the instructor and the pilot contributed to the pilot's decision to depart solo without supervision.
- The pilot's attempt to maintain visual references while flying through low stratus and fog banks led to the fatal loss of altitude and control.