What happened
On Sunday, November 2, 1997, at approximately 16:00, a private flight involving an unregistered gyrocopter resulted in a fatal accident near Villeneuve-d'Amont. Following an unsuccessful attempt to depart from a nearby field, the pilot attempted a takeoff from a departmental road.
After aligning the aircraft toward the east, the pilot flew beneath a high-voltage power line and commenced the takeoff. The aircraft turned right, establishing a south-westerly course at an altitude of roughly 15 meters. Shortly after this maneuver, the rotor struck the power lines, causing it to detach from the mast. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight conditions and the aircraft's technical status. At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were reported as CAVOK with calm winds. However, the sun was positioned at an azimuth of 240° and an elevation of 11°.
Investigators examined the aircraft and determined that the gyrocopter was a prototype. No technical documentation for the aircraft had been filed with the appropriate authorities. Additionally, it was established that the pilot did not hold the specific authorization required for the operation of a gyrocopter.
Findings
- The pilot was unable to perceive the obstacle in time due to reduced visibility caused by the sun's position.
- The low-altitude flight path, combined with the glare from the setting sun, prevented the pilot from detecting the power lines, despite the pilot being aware of their presence in the area.
- The accident resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and the total destruction of the aircraft.