What happened
On March 1, 2000, at approximately 16:30, a Scheibe SF 25 E motor glider, registration F-CHCQ, was involved in an accident during takeoff from runway 19 at the Vienne aerodrome. The flight, which began as a local mission following a previous landing from Lyon-Corbas, involved two occupants: the pilot and one passenger.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that the aircraft accelerated normally and achieved liftoff; however, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude. The motor glider reconnected with the unpaved runway at approximately the three-quarter mark of the strip. The aircraft subsequently struck an embankment, roughly 50 meters from the runway end, which stood 2.5 meters high, before coming to rest in a nearby field. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight conditions and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators examined meteorological data from the nearby Lyon Satolas aerodrome, which indicated unstable weather characterized by convective clouds, rain showers, and potential thunderstorms in the area. Wind observations showed significant activity, with gusts reaching up to 35 knots at ground level and even higher velocities in the lower atmosphere.
Crucially, the investigation established that the pilot had not consulted any meteorological information prior to the takeoff from Lyon-Corbas, as the intended flight duration was perceived to be very short.