What happened
On August 21, 2011, at approximately 16:35 local time, a Rans Coyote ultralight, registration 68ADW, was conducting a sightseeing flight near Girmont-Val-d’Ajol, France. The flight was part of an open-house event organized by a local ultralight club, offering paid passenger flights.
The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, intended to fly around a local event occurring in the nearby commune to allow the passenger to take photographs. Witnesses at the event observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude, approximately ten meters above the treetops. The aircraft was seen banking sharply to the right, losing altitude, and striking trees. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and one passenger sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the actions of those on board. The pilot had already completed two 20-minute flights earlier that day and noted that, unlike previous flights, no pre-flight briefing had been conducted for this specific passenger. The pilot suggested that the passenger may have inadvertently moved the control stick while leaning over to capture photographs of the event.
Investigators also reviewed the regulatory requirements for flying over gatherings. Under VFR rules, flights are prohibited over outdoor assemblies at altitudes of less than 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 600-meter radius. Furthermore, French regulations specify a minimum altitude of 500 meters for piston-engine aircraft flying over such gatherings.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was likely involuntary movement of the control stick by the passenger while attempting to photograph the event.
- The low altitude of the flight left the pilot with insufficient time or margin to recover control of the aircraft following the disturbance.
- The absence of a pre-flight briefing meant the passenger was not warned against interfering with the flight controls, a risk heightened by the specific mission of aerial photography.