What happened
On October 1, 2013, a Zenair Zodiac CH 601 XL ultralight, identified as 83-AMX, was conducting a training flight near Le Castellet, France. The pilot, an experienced instructor, was accompanied by a passenger participating in an introductory flight. After an initial departure from Le Castellet and a brief landing at Vinon, the aircraft departed Vinon at 10:30 local time, heading back toward Le Castellet.
While flying approximately 5 nautical miles northeast of the airfield at 5,000 feet, the pilot contacted the AFIS controller. The aircraft performed a vertical maneuver over the aerodrome, descending to 3,000 feet before establishing a right-hand downwind pattern for runway 13. As the aircraft entered the base leg, the pilot announced they were commencing the final turn. The AFIS controller, the sole witness to the event, observed the aircraft continue the turn until it struck the ground. The wreckage was located 175 meters before the runway threshold and approximately 25 meters to the right of the runway centerline.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the technical state of the aircraft and the flight conditions. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable, with CAVOK visibility, a temperature of 20°C, and light winds from 200° at 4 knots.
Technical examinations of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft impacted the ground in a position close to vertical. At the moment of impact, the engine was running but producing no power. The flaps were found in an intermediate position, consistent with the configuration typically used during an approach. No mechanical failures or technical defects were identified that could explain the accident. Additionally, the onboard GPS contained no data regarding the flight.
Findings
- The investigation could not establish a specific cause for the loss of control.
- It remained undetermined which occupant was controlling the aircraft at the moment of the impact.
- The aircraft was destroyed, and the accident resulted in two fatalities.