What happened
On August 8, 2011, a Kiss 450 ultralight, identified as 06-AAI, was participating in the second stage of the 2011 Tour ULM air rally. The flight was traveling from Montaigu to the Les Ecottays airfield in Aron, France, with a scheduled stop in Ploërmel. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger.
As the aircraft entered the airfield circuit, several other ultralights had already landed. During the final approach for runway 25, the aircraft encountered significant turbulence. The approach became unstabilized, and as the aircraft reached short final, it began to oscillate in roll. The aircraft lost altitude over a treeline and drifted to the left. Despite an increase in engine power, the pilot was unable to regain control, and the aircraft crashed within the airfield boundaries. The accident resulted in one fatality and one injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the HKS 700E engine, determining that there were no mechanical or technical failures contributing to the crash.
Testimony from the passenger indicated that the pilot had been notified via radio of wind conditions from 300° at 15 to 25 knots, including turbulence prior to the runway threshold. The passenger noted that during the final approach, the aircraft was traveling between 75 and 90 km/h, which was at the lower limit of the wing's recommended approach speed. The pilot reportedly expressed difficulty maintaining control just before the impact.
Data regarding the wind indicated a crosswind component between 11 and 19 knots, which was near the 15-knot limit specified in the wing's operating manual. The investigation also noted that the pilot had been flying for approximately five hours on the day of the accident, following a five-hour flight the previous day. The pilot had previously expressed feelings of fatigue and apprehension regarding the challenging weather conditions.