What happened
On July 30, 2003, a Robin DR400-140 B, registration F-GIKB, departed La Rochelle for Royan-Médis under VFR Special conditions. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers. During the flight, the pilot contacted the Royan AFIS to receive updated weather information, which noted low clouds and drizzle.
Radar data and witness accounts indicate that as the aircraft approached the village of Etaules, the pilot began a progressive westward turn and descended from 1,300 ft to approximately 600 ft. Witnesses observed the aircraft emerge from a cloud layer, exhibiting unstable oscillations in both roll and pitch, before entering a steep dive. The aircraft struck the ground in a residential area near a garden fence, resulting in four fatalities (the pilot and three passengers) and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's experience, and the prevailing meteorological environment. Technical examinations of the Robin DR400-140 B confirmed that the engine was producing power at the time of impact and that the fuel system and flight controls were functioning according to technical specifications. No evidence of carburetor icing was found.
Meteorological analysis revealed that a cold front was moving through the area, bringing low ceilings (stratus) and intermittent drizzle. While the AFIS reported a visibility of 8 km, local conditions at the crash site were significantly worse, with visibility estimated between 4 and 5 km and cloud ceilings as low as 500 ft. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight logs, noting relatively low flight experience and limited recent activity.