What happened
On November 18, 2012, at approximately 16:00 local time, an instructor and a student were conducting engine failure drills during takeoff at the Nîmes Courbessac aerodrome. Following an initial attempt by the student, the instructor took control of the Air Création Safari GT BI (identified as 30-SW) to demonstrate the correct procedure.
During the second takeoff, the instructor reduced engine power at an altitude of approximately 80 meters, ceased the climb, and transitioned to level flight to maintain airspeed. As the aircraft approached the flare, it entered a stall, resulting in a hard impact with the runway. The aircraft bounced before settling on its side, causing heavy damage to the ultralight.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight parameters and the pilot's management of airspeed during the maneuver. The instructor noted that power had been applied just before the flare to adjust speed, though the speed appeared sufficient at the time. The investigation found that the aircraft's airspeed indicator provided highly imprecise readings, leading the instructor to rely on estimating airspeed based on relative wind.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits, although the takeoff mass was near the maximum allowable limit. Meteorological data from the nearby Nîmes Garons station indicated variable winds of approximately 2 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an erroneous estimation of airspeed during the engine failure exercise.
- The reliance on relative wind for speed estimation, due to an unreliable airspeed indicator, contributed to the stall during the flare.
- The aircraft was operating at a weight near its maximum takeoff limit.