Cessna P210 N Centurion crash at Uvernet-Fours

Accident Overview and Immediate Sequence of Events On Wednesday, August 8, 2001, at 16:45 local time, a privately operated Cessna P210 N Centurion, registration OO-SGI, departed from the paved runway 27 at Barcelonnette aerodrome (04) for Calvi (2A). The aircraft was carrying the pilot and four passengers. A witness filmed the departure, noting that the aircraft lifted off after a 600-meter takeoff roll. The landing gear and flaps were retracted. Less than one minute after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, the aircraft executed a sharp left turn with a significant nose-up attitude and a substantial right slip. It subsequently entered a left-banked dive and crashed into a wooded area, where it caught fire. The pilot and all four passengers were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. ## Preceding Flight and Operational Context The pilot had departed from Liège, Belgium, on August 7, bound for Aspres-sur-Buëch (04). During the flight, he was informed of strong turbulence at Aspres and diverted to Barcelonnette, arriving shortly before 13:00. The chief pilot of the local aeroclub observed the arrival and noted that the pilot had advanced the throttle after an initial approach that was too long. The landing on the second attempt was hard, and the pilot was unable to prevent the left main gear from leaving the runway during the taxi. Upon reaching the parking area, the pilot expressed concern to the chief pilot, particularly regarding the upcoming departure, although the pilot did not appear to share this concern. ## Investigation Findings and Contributing Factors Analysis of the witness video revealed abrupt control inputs approximately ten seconds before the left turn and crash. An examination of the site and wreckage did not reveal any mechanical anomaly that could explain the accident. The elevator trim control was found in the neutral position. The aircraft was equipped with an additional 110-liter fuel tank located behind the cabin. The extent of the fire damage prevented determination of whether this tank was empty at the time of the accident, but the intensity of the fire in that area suggested the presence of fuel, indicating that the fuel had not been transferred, either fully or partially, to the wing tanks during the flight. The aircraft's weight and balance could not be calculated. A witness reported that the baggage compartment behind the cabin contained a large quantity of luggage, and additional bags were piled up to the ceiling on the left rear seat. The pilot had not refueled at Barcelonnette. The presence of fuel in the additional tank implied a rearward shift in the center of gravity as the quantity of fuel in the wing tanks decreased. The pilot, aged 31, held a Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) issued by Belgium for eight months. He served as a co-pilot for a cargo airline and held a single-engine piston (SEP) class rating, as well as type ratings for the Airbus A310/A300-600 and Beechcraft Be 90. He had a total of 400 flight hours, including approximately three hours on type. He had 87 hours as co-pilot on the A300-600. He had never landed at Barcelonnette aerodrome and had no mountain flying experience. ## Meteorological and Aerodrome Conditions Estimated meteorological conditions at the site were: wind from 240° at 8 knots, visibility between 8 and 10 kilometers, scattered clouds at 1,000 meters and overcast at 3,800 meters, temperature 22°C, dew point 15°C, and QNH 1015. Barcelonnette aerodrome is uncontrolled, located in a valley at an elevation of 1,132 meters, with a runway length of 800 meters.