What happened
On October 19, 2003, an Aquilair Swing L 951 582 ultralight, identified as 21-TV, was performing a solo circuit at the Beaune aerodrome. Following several circuits with an instructor, the student pilot insisted on attempting a second solo flight. The instructor, despite noting the student's high level of enthusiasm, agreed to the request and positioned himself on the runway to assist with visual guidance.
During the first solo attempt, the student struggled to stabilize the aircraft, making abrupt corrections that tilted the wings as much as 45 degrees. The student initiated a go-around. On the subsequent approach, the instructor observed continued instability and instructed the student via radio to perform a go-around and execute a longer final approach to allow for better stabilization. The instructor provided further radio guidance during the short final to help maintain the runway centerline.
Upon landing, the aircraft struck the unpaved runway mid-way with significant force and bounced approximately two meters into the air. Attempting to maintain a positive pitch angle—a reflex learned from fixed-wing aircraft training—the student pulled back on the control bar. This maneuver caused the aircraft to impact the runway with the nose gear and subsequently flip onto its back, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and one injury to the pilot.