What happened
On November 7, 2009, a Piper PA 38, registration F-GAME, was performing solo circuit training at the Cannes-Mandelieu aerodrome. The student pilot, who was training for a basic pilot license, departed at 13:12 local time to conduct maneuvers on runway 17. During the third long final approach, the pilot notified air traffic control that the engine was misfiring and expressed concern that the aircraft would be unable to reach the runway.
In an attempt to restore power, the pilot switched fuel selection from the left tank to the right tank, and then back to the left. When the engine failed to regain power, the pilot executed a forced landing in a field located approximately 700 meters before the runway threshold, near the highway bordering the airfield. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with trees, resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft and minor injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine power loss and the pilot's actions during the emergency. At the time of the flight, the aircraft had approximately 30 liters of fuel in each tank, which was sufficient for the planned mission. Meteorological conditions included a temperature of 12 °C and a dew point of 7 °C, conditions highly conducive to carburetor icing.
The pilot reported that he had not noted the temperatures provided via ATIS, believing they were irrelevant to the flight. He further noted a confusion between airframe icing and carburetor icing, as he believed that because temperatures were above freezing, the risk was minimal. Additionally, the pilot stated that his instructor had not warned him about the potential for carburetor icing during the pre-flight briefing. An examination of the wreckage confirmed that the carburetor heat control was in the 'OFF' position. The investigation also noted that the use of the carburetor heat device appeared to be an infrequent practice at the flying club due to the generally favorable weather conditions at the aerodrome.