What happened
On the evening of July 12, 2003, a ULM DTA Dynamic 582 microlight, identified as 66-JA, was conducting a flight demonstration near Monceaux-sur-Dordogne. The pilot had previously completed a ferry flight from the Perpignan area, consisting of two stages, before resting for approximately five hours. At 19:00, the pilot departed for an introductory flight accompanied by one passenger.
During the flight, the aircraft caught up with another microlight flying over the Dordogne river. The pilot of 66-SA positioned the aircraft behind and below the other aircraft. While flying, the ULM DTA Dynamic 582 struck a medium-voltage power line situated approximately ten meters above the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into the river, resulting in one fatality (the pilot) and one injury (the passenger). The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and environmental conditions at the time of the impact. Investigators noted that the sun, positioned on a northeast-southwest axis, created significant glare for the pilot of the second aircraft. Additionally, the utility poles supporting the power lines were obscured by nearby trees, making the wires difficult to detect.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident was driven by several critical factors. The pilot made the decision to fly at an extremely low altitude, which directly led to the violation of minimum safe flight heights. This maneuver, combined with an element of overconfidence, prevented the pilot from identifying the low-hanging power lines. Adherence to minimum altitude regulations is essential for obstacle avoidance during all flight operations.