What happened
On July 25, 2013, a student pilot was conducting his first solo cross-country flight from Brioude to Roanne in a Robin DR400, registration F-GCAM. During the flight, the pilot experienced difficulty maintaining radio contact with the Clermont-Ferrand Flight Information Service (SIV) due to terrain interference. While attempting to navigate, the pilot noticed an alternator failure. Shortly after, the aircraft's electrical system failed completely, causing the radio to become inoperable.
Believing the engine might fail, the pilot reduced engine power to conserve electricity, unaware that the engine's ignition is powered by independent magnetos. Under significant stress, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing in a field. He approached the landing site at an excessive speed and altitude, deploying full flaps to compensate. The aircraft bounced upon contact, struck a fence, and came to rest in an embankment. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the alternator circuit breaker had tripped. The aircraft had undergone a 100-hour maintenance inspection on the morning of the accident, and the electrical system had been verified functional during that service. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, which showed he had practiced alternator failure procedures during dual instruction, but specifically focused on alternator failure rather than a total electrical loss.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inadequate preparation for a field landing resulting from high levels of pilot stress.
- Several contributing factors increased the pilot's stress, including the pressure of his first solo navigation, navigational difficulties, and the loss of radio communication.
- The pilot's decision to reduce engine power was based on a misunderstanding of the aircraft's electrical architecture.
- The investigation noted that while the pilot had practiced alternator failures, he had not specifically trained for a total loss of both the alternator and the battery.