What happened
On Wednesday, September 3, 1997, at 17:10, a Jodel D 112 aircraft, registration F-BILD, was engaged in a training flight near Monségur, France. The flight was being conducted by an instructor and a student pilot as part of an instructional session. During the flight, the crew performed a simulated engine failure exercise, specifically practicing a forced landing procedure. This maneuver was executed without a prior reconnaissance of the landing area.
As the student pilot selected a field for the simulated landing, the aircraft's path was aligned parallel to an existing power line. During the final approach, approximately 12 meters above the ground, the aircraft's left landing gear struck a power line bypass that crossed the field. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch forward and crash, subsequently bouncing approximately 10 meters from the initial impact point. The force of the collision was severe enough to break the aircraft in two at the firewall, and both occupants were ejected from the cockpit.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the decision-making process during the simulated emergency. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions at the time, which included visibility exceeding 10 km and light, variable winds between 3 and 6 knots. The inquiry also reviewed the experience levels of the crew, noting the instructor had 2,000 flight hours, while the student pilot had 15 hours of dual instruction and 5 hours of solo flight time.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an erroneous assessment of the aircraft's altitude relative to the obstacles in the field.
- The crew performed a simulated forced landing without conducting a prior reconnaissance of the landing site.
- The aircraft struck a power line bypass that was positioned across the chosen landing area.
- The impact resulted in two injuries and the total destruction of the Jodel D 112.