What happened
On the evening of July 18, 2008, an Airland MD 04 2T ultralight aircraft, identified as 24-CO, departed from the Sarlat airfield for a mission involving aerial photography of paleontological sites. To provide the passenger with an unobstructed view, the pilot occupied the rear seat.
At approximately 21:20, a witness observed the aircraft flying in a straight, level path at a low altitude. While the engine initially appeared to be operating normally, the witness then noted a sudden decrease in engine noise, followed by total engine silence. The aircraft began to oscillate in roll, pitched downward, and disappeared behind a line of trees. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a forested area.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the engine performance and the flight dynamics leading up to the impact. Examination of the wreckage and the crash site confirmed that the fuel tank still contained fuel at the time of the accident. Analysis of the propeller indicated that the engine was delivering very low power during the impact.
Technical inspections of the engine and the control linkages did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. Due to the nature of the impact, the specific positions of the flight controls and the instrument readings at the moment of collision could not be determined. Notably, the control stick for the front seat had been removed prior to the flight.
Findings
- The exact cause of the engine power loss could not be definitively established, though an accidental movement of the power controls by either the pilot or the passenger remains a possibility.
- Pilots of this specific aircraft type have noted that a loss of engine power can cause the aircraft to pitch up because the horizontal stabilizer loses effective airflow, leading to a rapid loss of airspeed.
- The low altitude of the flight over the forest left insufficient margin for the pilot to recover control of the aircraft following the power loss.
- The accident resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.