What happened
On August 25, 2007, a Piper PA 39, registration N13PF, was performing circuit maneuvers at the Vannes-Meucon aerodrome in France. The aircraft was occupied by two pilots: the owner, seated in the right seat, and a second pilot, seated in the left seat.
After taxiing to the runway threshold, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff on runway 04. Witnesses observed that the takeoff roll appeared unusually long and that the aircraft struggled to gain altitude. During the initial climb, the aircraft banked sharply to the right and entered a stall. The aircraft struck the ground in a steep nose-down attitude near the runway, resulting in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and the crew's actions during the takeoff phase. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right engine was producing significantly less power than the left engine at the time of impact. However, no mechanical or fuel system failures were found in the right engine or its associated systems. The investigation concluded that the reduced power was likely a deliberate action taken by one of the pilots to simulate an engine failure.
Investigators also reviewed the pilots' qualifications. While the owner held the necessary licenses to operate the aircraft, he did not hold an instructor rating. The pilot in the left seat was not qualified to fly multi-engine piston aircraft, as his qualification had expired in 2002. Flight logs indicated that the pair had been conducting recent training flights, often with the left-seat pilot acting as the pilot in command.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a stall at a low altitude due to inadequate management of engine power and aircraft configuration.
- The reduced power on the right engine was likely part of a deliberate engine failure simulation exercise.
- The pilot was unable to maintain directional control or sufficient airspeed, leading to the stall.
- The decision to conduct training flights outside of a formal instructional framework and without the required multi-engine qualifications contributed significantly to the accident.