What happened
On June 12, 2000, a Robin DR 400-140 B, registration F-GGXY, was conducting a cross-country flight from Chartres to Granville. While cruising at 2,000 feet, the pilot observed deteriorating weather conditions. In an attempt to avoid approaching cloud formations, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn with a bank angle of at least 30 degrees while climbing.
During this maneuver, the aircraft entered the clouds. As the pilot lost visual references, the stall warning activated. The aircraft subsequently entered a dive beneath the cloud layer. The pilot performed a recovery at an altitude of approximately 500 feet and reduced engine power. During these maneuvers, a passenger, who had likely become unseated at the start of the flight, struck the canopy, causing slight damage to the aircraft's canopy. The pilot subsequently landed at the Flers aerodrome.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the aircraft's flight path during the encounter with the clouds. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions at the time, which included broken clouds at 2,000 feet and visibility of 8 km. The pilot's statements were also reviewed, specifically regarding the estimation of distance to the cloud layer and the lack of specialized training for flight in instrument conditions.