What happened
On April 26, 2013, a private Socata TB 9, registration I-IAEH, departed from Cannes-Mandelieu aerodrome at 14:57 for a flight destined for Salerno, Italy. While en route toward the MERLU waypoint at approximately 1,000 ft altitude, the pilot initiated a left-hand turn and began a descent. The aircraft followed a circular path with a radius of approximately 500 to 600 meters, descending at a vertical rate of about 1,000 ft/min.
At 15:27, while the aircraft was at an altitude of roughly 200 ft, the Nice approach controller lost both radio and radar contact with the aircraft. Despite repeated attempts to contact the pilot, no response was received. The aircraft was last tracked approximately 29 NM south-east of Cannes-Mandelieu.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the period leading up to the loss of contact. At the time of the disappearance, weather conditions featured visibility greater than 10 km, scattered stratocumulus at 6,000 ft, and a 17-knot wind from 080°. The sea state was noted as rough, with wave heights averaging 1.10 m.
Following the loss of contact, the Nice approach controller notified the regional air traffic control center (CRNA/SE), which subsequently triggered the DETRESFA emergency procedure and alerted the Lyon Mont-Verdun rescue coordination center (RCC). Aerial and maritime search operations commenced at 16:42 the following day, covering a 5 NM radius around the last known position. The search concluded the following evening without locating the pilot or the aircraft. Approximately one month after the incident, the nose gear wheel was recovered along the Italian coast, roughly 130 NM from the aircraft's last radar contact.
Findings
- The investigation was unable to determine the specific causes of the accident.
- Based on the observed vertical descent rate and the radius of the turn, it is likely that the descent trajectory was controlled.