What happened
On Sunday, February 28, 1999, at 11:40 local time, a Jurca MJ2 Tempête, registration F-PZIN, was conducting a local flight departing from the Ussel aerodrome. While exiting a valley, the aircraft struck a medium-voltage electrical line at an altitude of approximately 40 meters. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Witnesses at the scene reported observing the aircraft flying at a very low altitude just moments before the collision occurred. At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were characterized by visibility exceeding 10 km, temperatures of 4 °C, and winds from 350° to 010° at 12 knots with gusts up to 20 knots.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight path. Examination of the debris revealed specific impact marks consistent with a cable striking the upper right section of the engine cowling and the canopy frame. Technical analysis confirmed that the engine was producing power at the moment of the collision. The pilot, aged 29, held a flight permit issued in 1997 and had accumulated 115 total flight hours, with approximately 5 hours specifically on this aircraft type.