Diamond DA 40 Collision with Antenna Guy Wire in Mortain

Accident Overview and Immediate Circumstances On Sunday, 17 July 2011, at approximately 13:00 local time, a Diamond DA 40 registered F-GNJU, operated by a club, collided with the guy wire of a television antenna near Mortain (50), France. The pilot and one passenger were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft had departed Dinard (35) at 12:35 with the pilot and passenger aboard, en route to Pontoise (95). At 12:40, the pilot contacted the Rennes flight information service. The controller identified the aircraft on radar and requested its altitude; the pilot responded that he intended to remain at low altitude. Radar contact was lost at 12:58. The wreckage was found approximately 300 meters from a television antenna listed on aeronautical charts, whose summit was at 1,368 feet altitude, corresponding to a height of 328 feet. ## Radar Data and Wreckage Examination Radar data indicated that the aircraft had been operating between 1,000 and 1,500 feet altitude for most of the flight. During the final 30 seconds, the aircraft descended as it approached terrain near Mortain. The last radar detection placed the aircraft at approximately 300 feet height. Examination of the wreckage showed that all damage was consistent with a collision with the ground. An electrical cable from the aircraft's right wing was found suspended midway up an antenna guy wire. Several aircraft components, including most of the right wing, were scattered between the antenna and the wreckage. The FADEC examination revealed no engine malfunction prior to impact with the guy wire. ## Meteorological Conditions and Pilot Intent Météo France records showed that the pilot had consulted the aeroweb site on 15, 16, and 17 July. Before the flight, between 09:30 and 10:55, he reviewed TEMSI charts, METARs, and TAFs for several aerodromes, including Dinard, Alençon, and Caen-Carpiquet. The TAFs valid at the time of the accident mentioned thunderstorm risks associated with cumulonimbus between 10:00 and 18:00 and reduced visibility of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Météo France analysis indicated stratocumulus in the Mortain sector, with cloud bases potentially below 1,300 feet above ground level. The pilot had told several people that he hoped not to be forced to turn back due to the weather. The objective of reaching his destination likely motivated the pilot to proceed with the flight.