Two fatalities in training flight after collision with power lines

Casualties unknown • Montigny-sur-Vence, FR

A Robin DR400-120 instructor and student were killed when the aircraft struck medium-voltage power lines during a field landing exercise in France.

What happened

On August 21, 2010, a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GCIQ, was conducting a dual-instruction flight for PPL(A) training. The flight departed from Charleville-Mézières aerodrome, visiting Sedan and Rethel before heading northeast. During the final leg of the navigation, the crew attempted a field landing exercise in a pasture near Montigny-sur-Vence.

As the aircraft performed a go-around at the end of the exercise, it struck one of the three cables of a medium-voltage power line at an altitude of approximately 50 ft. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into the ground about 100 meters away. The two fatalities involved were the instructor and the student. Technical examinations of the engine revealed no malfunctions prior to the impact.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the flight path, the aircraft's condition, and the visibility of obstacles. Radar data from Reims confirmed the flight trajectory, though coverage was limited by the aircraft's low altitude. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft performing a wide left turn to align with the field.

Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the left wing was heavily damaged and the cockpit was destroyed. The engine was found to be producing power at the time of the accident. The investigation also reviewed aeronautical charts, noting that the medium-voltage line was not marked, as only obstacles exceeding 300 ft are typically indicated on ICAO charts. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the visibility conditions, noting that the aircraft was flying largely into the sun, which significantly reduced the contrast of the wires.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the decision to continue the field landing exercise below the minimum allowable altitude.
  • The instructor had apparently not performed a prior reconnaissance of the chosen field, leaving the presence of the power lines unknown.
  • The low contrast of the electrical lines, combined with the sun's position, made visual detection of the cables nearly impossible during the final approach.
  • The aircraft struck the cable during a go-around maneuver.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by flying below the authorized minimum altitude during a training exercise, compounded by the lack of prior field reconnaissance and the difficulty of detecting low-contrast power lines while flying into the sun.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-08-21 Robin DR400-120 accident near Montigny-sur-Vence, FR?

A Robin DR400-120 instructor and student were killed when the aircraft struck medium-voltage power lines during a field landing exercise in France.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-08-21 involved a Robin DR400-120, at Montigny-sur-Vence, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by flying below the authorized minimum altitude during a training exercise, compounded by the lack of prior field reconnaissance and the difficulty of detecting low-contrast power lines while flying into the sun.

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