What happened
On January 5, 2013, a Piper PA34 Seneca V, registration CN-DAY, departed from Grenoble-Isère airport bound for Reus, Spain. The flight was a private operation carrying the pilot and four passengers. Due to a low cloud ceiling of approximately 700 ft, the aircraft was operating under VFR Special procedures.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 09, the aircraft entered a cloud layer. While the exact nature of the entry remains unclear, the aircraft continued its climb through the clouds. At an altitude of approximately 3,450 ft, the pilot initiated a descent and a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost control and descended into a wooded area near Saint-Geoirs. The aircraft struck trees and terrain, resulting in a post-impact fire. All five people on board perished in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's transition from visual to instrument conditions and the management of the VFR Special clearance. Investigators examined the aircraft's technical state, finding that the engines were producing power at the time of impact and the landing gear was still in the extended position. The aircraft was found to be overweight by 140 kg at the time of departure.
Air traffic control records were reviewed to determine the instructions provided during departure. The controller had issued a VFR Special clearance but did not specify a particular exit point or waypoint for the aircraft to follow, unlike the instructions provided to a previous departure. The investigation also looked into the pilot's training, noting that while the pilot held a multi-engine piston rating, he lacked instrument flight training and had no experience flying in IMC.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the aircraft entering a cloud layer and the subsequent loss of control during flight in IMC.
- The pilot lacked the necessary instrument flight qualifications and had never been trained for flight in low-visibility conditions.
- The aircraft was operating in an overloaded state, exceeding its maximum takeoff mass.
- The pilot's determination to complete the flight, reinforced by the successful recent departure of another aircraft on the same route, likely contributed to the decision to proceed despite the weather.
- The VFR Special clearance provided by the controller did not include specific instructions regarding a departure waypoint or altitude.