What happened
On April 18, 2003, a Fournier RF 6B 100, registered F-GANE, was performing an aerobatic instruction flight at the Royan Médis airfield. Following takeoff, the aircraft climbed at a steep angle, transitioned into an inverted position, and entered a dive accompanied by a rolling motion. Despite an attempt to recover, the aircraft struck the ground in a nose-down attitude and caught fire.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the flight context, and the crew's physiological state. Technical analysis of the wreckage confirmed that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact and that no mechanical failures had occurred prior to the crash. The investigation also reviewed the flight history of the instructor, who had completed seven flights that day, and the student's recent training progress.
Investigators also looked into the environmental and social context, noting that the flight was part of the student's training for a first-cycle aerobatic authorization. The investigation noted that the instructor had a habit of performing high-performance maneuvers following takeoff, a practice likely influenced by training in more powerful aircraft like the CAP 10.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the execution of an aerobatic maneuver immediately after takeoff at an altitude and airspeed that were insufficient to maintain safety.
- The instructor's judgment may have been impaired by alcohol consumption, as both the instructor and the student had measurable blood alcohol levels, though below the legal limit for driving.
- Contributing factors included the instructor's fatigue, a lack of formal flight briefing, and the social dynamics of the flying group, which may have validated the student's risky intentions.
- The instructor's familiarity with performing aggressive climbs and rolls during takeoff in other aircraft types likely contributed to the decision to attempt the maneuver in the Fournier RF 6B 100.