What happened
On Tuesday, January 15, 2000, at 15:30, a Pilatus PC-6 B1 H2 Turbo-Porter, registered F-GFFD, was conducting a skydiving mission near the Nancy Azelot airfield. Following a parachute deployment at 4,000 meters, the pilot initiated a dive toward the village where he resided, flying at an altitude of approximately 300 meters.
After this initial maneuver, the pilot intended to perform a low-level pass over the airfield facilities. While executing a turn between the runway and the hangars, the aircraft entered a steep left bank. During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck the ground, scraping along a distance of approximately ten meters between the runway and a hangar. The impact occurred in an area where a group of people was present. The pilot was able to recover the aircraft and subsequently landed safely on runway 36.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the pilot's intentions during the descent. Investigators interviewed the crew, which included the pilot, a jumpmaster, and one parachutist. The investigation established that the pilot's actions were driven by a desire to perform a visually impressive maneuver for members of his association. The pilot admitted to being highly excited about performing his first flight of the year, which influenced his decision to fly at such a low altitude.
Findings
- The left wingtip and aileron of the Pilatus PC-6 B1 H2 Turbo-Porter sustained damage.
- There were no fatalities or injuries resulting from the contact with the ground.
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's decision to perform a low-altitude flight maneuver.