What happened
On Sunday, May 28, 2000, at approximately 16:00, a two-seat Mignet HM 1000 Balerit ultralight, identified as 34-MN, was performing a local private flight from the Pignan ultralight airfield in France. During the initial climb following takeoff from the unpaved runway, the aircraft tilted to the right and entered a steep pitch-up attitude.
Believing the sudden movement was caused by turbulence that had resulted in a wing failure, the pilot reduced engine power in an attempt to land the aircraft. This reduction in power led to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground to the right of the runway threshold, causing two injuries (the pilot and one passenger) and substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and structural integrity following the impact. Investigators examined the airframe for any signs of mechanical failure or structural damage prior to the stall. While the pilot suspected a wing separation due to turbulence, the post-accident inspection revealed no structural anomalies or failures in the wings.
Data regarding the aircraft's weight indicated that the total mass at takeoff was approximately 15 kilograms below the maximum allowable takeoff weight. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident included a wind from 210 degrees at 8 knots and visibility exceeding 10 km.