What happened
On April 5, 2008, a Falco 95 ultralight aircraft, registration 40-GO, departed from the Biscarrosse airfield for a local flight. The aircraft was occupied by the owner-pilot and one passenger, who was also a pilot. After departing the airfield traffic pattern to the south at 1,500 feet, the occupants announced their intention to head south via radio.
Approximately nine minutes after takeoff, witnesses near the village of Sainte-Eulalie-en-Borned observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude and low speed over the forest. They reported seeing the aircraft oscillate from side to side before suddenly pitching downward and disappearing behind the tree line, followed by the appearance of thick black smoke. The aircraft struck the ground in a clearing within the Landes forest with a steep nose-down attitude, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft by impact and subsequent fire. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the technical condition of the aircraft, the flight profiles, and the pilot's qualifications. Technical examinations of the engine, propeller, and flight control surfaces revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the impact. The investigation established that the aircraft's flaps were in the full extension position at the time of impact.
Weight and balance calculations revealed that the aircraft was operating at a takeoff weight of approximately 485 kg, which exceeded the maximum authorized takeoff mass of 450 kg. Furthermore, the center of gravity was found to be beyond the forward limit. The investigation also scrutinized the pilot's credentials, noting that while he was undergoing instructor training, he lacked the necessary authorizations for passenger carriage and instructor qualifications.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control, likely occurring during a stall maneuver.
- The pilot's lack of technical proficiency and insufficient skill level contributed to the inability to recover the aircraft.
- The decision to perform stall exercises at a low altitude left no margin for error.
- The aerodynamic characteristics of the Falco 95 at low speeds and with full flaps contributed to the loss of control.
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight condition and with an improper forward center of gravity.
- The passenger's limited experience with this specific aircraft type may have also contributed to the outcome.