What happened
On April 11, 2009, a Dyn’Aero MCR 01, registration F-PDOG, departed from Persan-Beaumont for a flight to Pontivy. The pilot maintained radio contact with Pontoise controllers until approximately 10:21 UTC. About thirty minutes later, the aircraft was located in a field near Saint-Léonard-des-Parcs.
Witnesses near the site reported low visibility and clouds touching the treetops at the time of the impact. The aircraft's debris field spanned over 200 meters in length and 60 meters in width. The investigation revealed that the horizontal stabilizer had detached in flight, with its hinge pins failing due to overload, and the wing spars had ruptured at the root. The wreckage distribution indicated that the wing structure opened and subsequently failed while in flight, leading to the final collision with the ground.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, the flight path reconstructed via GPS data, and meteorological records found on board. The analysis of the debris showed that the engine block marked the primary point of impact, while the fuselage was located beyond this point. The examination of the wing structure confirmed that the right wing skin was found ahead of the impact point, while the left wing skin was found behind it, consistent with a structural failure in flight.
Meteorological data from various aerodromes along the route, including Alençon and Le Mans, indicated deteriorating conditions, including rain, drizzle, and low ceilings. Notably, the pilot had expressed concerns to a person at the departure airfield regarding the possibility of being unable to reach the destination due to the weather.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a structural failure in flight, including the rupture of the wing spars and the detachment of the horizontal stabilizer.
- The pilot's persistence in continuing the flight despite unfavorable meteorological conditions was the primary cause of the accident.