What happened
On February 22, 2015, a Robin DR400-140B, registration F-GTVY, was conducting a general aviation flight from La Baule-Escoublac toward Pontivy. The pilot, accompanied by three passengers, had previously completed a flight to Pontivy earlier that day. For the return leg, the pilot decided to fly along the coast to avoid terrain, despite deteriorating weather conditions.
During the flight, the pilot encountered low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility caused by an approaching warm front. As the aircraft descended to 500 ft, the pilot contacted the Lorient-Lann-Bihoué approach controller to request radar guidance. The controller provided information regarding the weather at the airfield, noting conditions were near the limits for special VFR operations.
Faced with worsening visibility and a low ceiling, the pilot declared an emergency request to land at Lorient-Lann-Bihoué. Due to the sudden nature of the request and the pilot's non-based status, the controller initially instructed the aircraft to perform 360-degree turns while coordinating with supervisors. As the aircraft continued along the coast at approximately 100 ft altitude, the pilot determined that the conditions at the intended airfield were unsuitable. To avoid further complications, the pilot decided to land on the Gâvres beach. The aircraft landed in the sand and came to a stop without damage, and all four persons on board evacuated safely.
The investigation
The BEA examined the pilot's flight preparation, the meteorological conditions at the time of the incident, and the application of the then-newly implemented SERA (Standardised European Rules of the Air) regulations. The investigation focused on why the pilot did not identify the approaching weather front and how the communication between the pilot and the air traffic controller contributed to the decision to land on the beach.
Findings
- The primary cause was insufficient flight preparation, as the pilot failed to review the most recent meteorological information before departing La Baule-Escoublac, leaving him unaware of the approaching warm front.
- The pilot's decision to continue the flight despite degrading weather prevented the identification of alternative landing sites.
- The controller's approximate application of the new SERA regulations regarding special VFR conditions, combined with a lack of explicit phrasing regarding CTR entry, led the pilot to fly into the Lorient-Lann-Bihoué control zone without proper authorization.
- The pilot's late and imprecise emergency declaration made it difficult for air traffic services to determine the exact type of assistance required.