What happened
On the evening of August 5, 2001, a Cosmos Bidulm ultralight aircraft, identified as 64-GJ, departed from the Saint-Pé-sur-Nivelle microlight base for a private flight toward Bénesse-Maremne. Following takeoff, the aircraft climbed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees before entering a brief level flight phase.
Witnesses on the ground observed the pilot waving to bystanders before the aircraft initiated a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft maintained a slight nose-up attitude, but the bank angle increased beyond 60 degrees. As the turn progressed, the aircraft lost altitude, passed over the runway in a side-slip attitude, and eventually inverted before impacting the ground. Video footage recorded from the runway edge indicated that the engine continued to deliver significant power right up until the moment of impact.
The investigation
The investigation was supported by interviews with ground observers and the analysis of video recordings taken from the runway perimeter. Investigators examined the wreckage of the Cosmos Bidulm to determine if mechanical failure played a role in the accident. The examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no apparent structural defects or malfunctions in the control systems.
Findings
- The accident resulted from a loss of control in flight leading to a ground impact.
- The pilot's maneuvers led the aircraft into unusual attitudes that were unrecoverable.
- There was no evidence of engine failure or mechanical malfunction contributing to the crash.