What happened
On May 2, 2001, a Piper PA 28 RT-201T, registration F-GFIZ, departed Alès for a visual flight rules (VFR) trip to Rennes. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot requested a flight level of 4,500 feet, intending to navigate via the GAI VOR. Approximately fifteen minutes into the flight, the aircraft struck a hillside near Aumess0as at an altitude of approximately 4,700 feet. The impact resulted in 3 fatalities, including the pilot and two passengers.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's preparation. Radar data revealed that while the aircraft maintained a stable, straight trajectory, its altitude steadily decreased from 780 feet to 220 feet above ground level in the two minutes preceding the crash. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's navigation charts, which included an outdated 1990 map where altitudes were listed in meters rather than feet.
Meteorological observations from nearby stations indicated that while visibility at Alès was good, the area near the accident site was experiencing fog and low cloud ceilings. Furthermore, the pilot was unable to access the TEMSI (Terminal Meteorological Information) chart during flight preparation due to a computer failure, leaving him unaware of the degraded conditions along his route.
Findings
- The pilot chose to continue a VFR flight despite being in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The aircraft struck the terrain while the pilot was likely unable to see the ground.
- The pilot's decision to fly VFR into IMC was driven by overconfidence and the pressure to reach the destination after a previous flight delay.
- Flight preparation was inadequate, specifically regarding the calculation of a safe altitude.
- The use of outdated aeronautical charts, which utilized metric elevations, contributed to the error.
- The lack of access to updated TEMSI data prevented the pilot from recognizing the low cloud ceilings along the flight path.