What happened
On August 15, 2001, a Robin DR 400-160, registration F-GEIP, departed from Saint-Rambert d’Albon for Perpignan with three passengers. During the flight, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions characterized by coastal sea fog and low cloud ceilings. While communicating with Montpellier Approach, the pilot attempted to maintain visual flight rules (VFR) by descending to lower altitudes.
Radar data indicated that in the final minutes of flight, the aircraft's flight path became unstable, with rapid fluctuations in altitude and vertical speed. Witnesses near the site reported seeing the aircraft emerge from the clouds in a left turn, followed by a sudden, violent climb and subsequent disintegration. The wreckage was located in the Massif de la Clape near Armissan. The impact was so severe that there were 4 fatalities and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's structural integrity and the pilot's decision-making. Investigators examined the wreckage and found evidence of in-flight separation. Specifically, the right wing spar had failed due to upward bending forces. The investigation also noted that the cockpit canopy was shattered in flight, and debris from the right wing had struck the fuselage and canopy.
Analysis of the wing spar showed that the failure was not due to manufacturing defects or poor wood quality, but rather resulted from loads exceeding the maximum allowable flight envelope. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he had recently obtained his private pilot license and had limited experience with maritime meteorological conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's decision to persist with the original flight plan despite worsening weather, rather than diverting to an alternative airport like Béziers.
- The pilot likely lost visual references due to the encroaching low clouds.
- To avoid the ground during a low-altitude maneuver, the pilot executed a violent pull-up, subjecting the airframe to excessive G-loads.
- The pilot's lack of experience with coastal fog and the stress of his first long-distance flight with passengers may have hindered his ability to react effectively to the changing environment.