What happened
On Saturday, December 6, 1997, at 15:40, a Robin DR 400 - 140 B, registered F-GNNP, was performing a flight from Péronne aerodrome. Immediately following takeoff, the aircraft entered an excessive pitch-up attitude. This was followed by a roll that resulted in the aircraft striking the ground.
The accident resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the cockpit and the aircraft's recent history. The aircraft had been parked outdoors for two days prior to the accident. Upon examining the wreckage, investigators discovered that the control column had been secured to the pilot's seatbelt. The aircraft was not equipped with any specialized hardware designed to lock the flight controls during parking.
Findings
Investigators determined that the primary cause of the accident was the immobilization of the control column. This was the result of negligence during the pre-flight inspection, as the control column had been tied to the seatbelt, preventing the pilot from maneuvering the aircraft during the takeoff roll.
Safety action
Following the identification of similar accidents in recent years, the BEA issued a safety recommendation to the DGAC. The recommendation specifies that in the absence of a dedicated control locking device, any alternative method used to secure the controls must only be applied to the seat normally reserved for the pilot.