What happened
On July 17, 2011, a Canadian CFC Ltd Harvard T6, registration F-AZIG, was preparing for a flight from Lyon Bron to Dijon. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, informed air traffic control of his intention to perform a low-level pass over runway 16 following takeoff. After receiving clearance, the aircraft departed. Witnesses observed the aircraft maintaining level flight at a very low altitude with the landing gear and flaps retracted. As the aircraft accelerated and turned slightly left at the end of the runway, the pilot applied a significant pitch-up attitude and initiated a steep right-hand bank. At approximately 200 feet, the pilot lost control, causing the aircraft to enter a sharp dive and strike the ground. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight sequence and the pilot's maneuvers. Investigators examined the wreckage and found no mechanical anomalies capable of explaining the accident. The weather conditions at the time were favorable, with 10 km visibility and light winds. The pilot held a private pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and had recently completed an initial aerobatic training course. The investigation specifically analyzed the nature of the maneuver intended, known as an "oreille" (an oblique maneuver involving a climb followed by a bank of more than 90 degrees). Regulations for this level of aerobatic qualification prohibit performing maneuvers at low altitudes, as such figures are typically practiced with altitude floors between 1,000 and 3,000 feet to provide a safety margin.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to perform an improvised aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.
- The pilot attempted a complex maneuver without sufficient altitude to recover from potential loss of energy or altitude.
- The pilot's aerobatic qualification did not authorize low-altitude presentations.