What happened
On Sunday, February 27, 2000, at 16:25, a Jodel D113-3P amateur-built aircraft, registered F-PMPJ, was performing a local flight from a private airfield in Montaud, France. The flight was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
While approaching runway 24 on a downwind leg, the pilot noted that the setting sun was creating visual difficulties. Despite wearing sunglasses, the pilot became blinded by the sun during the final approach. During this phase of flight, the aircraft struck the treetops of trees located on an adjacent plot of land. Following the collision with the trees, the aircraft crashed into an embankment approximately 40 meters from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in two injuries (the pilot and the passenger) and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation established that the trees involved in the collision were approximately 12 meters tall and had not been trimmed since the airfield's authorization was issued in 1994. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were reported as CAVOK with calm winds.
Investigators noted that because there are no specific regulations governing obstacle clearance easements for such private airfields, the responsibility lies with the airfield users to ensure that their aircraft performance is compatible with the specific characteristics and obstacles of the site.