What happened
On the afternoon of November 13, 2002, a Robin DR 400-180 R, registration F-BVCL, was performing a multi-leg cross-country flight departing from Montpellier-Méditerranée. The flight plan included several stops, including Le Puy en Velay, Ambert, and Fumel, before returning to Montpellier. The crew, consisting of the pilot and two passengers, had been flying for approximately four hours.
During the final approach to runway 13 L at Montpellier-Méd . . . Méditerranée, the pilot noticed fluctuations in engine power while in radio contact with the control tower. The pilot declared a