What happened
On November 9, 2011, a private Socata TBM700A, registration N228CX, departed from Toussus-le-Noble for a professional flight to Lyon. While conducting a Localizer DME approach to runway 16 at Lyon Bron Airport, the pilot executed a go-around at approximately 9:10 local time. Following the decision to abort the approach, the aircraft entered a left turn and collided with the ground in a dry retention basin located roughly 1,500 meters from the runway threshold. The impact occurred in a heavily urbanized area, and the aircraft caught fire immediately after the crash. The pilot was killed, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined the aircraft's configuration at impact, finding the landing gear extended and the right flap set to 10 degrees. Mechanical inspections of the engine, control surfaces, and the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) revealed no technical failures. Meteorological data indicated high humidity with a low cloud ceiling of approximately 700 to 800 feet, which likely obscured the pilot's view of the ground.
Investigators also reviewed air traffic control (ATC) radar data and communications. The radar data showed that the pilot was guided directly onto the Final Approach Fix (FAF) without the required 30-second level flight segment, which is intended to allow pilots to stabilize the aircraft. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the pilot's training history, noting that while he held US-issued licenses, a previous training session for this specific aircraft type in the United States had been interrupted due to unsatisfactory performance in instrument procedures.