What happened
On Sunday, September 24, 2000, at approximately 15:00, an Aerocommandor 200 D, registered F-BOLS, was performing an aerial demonstration during an open house event at the Montendre airfield in Marcillac. The pilot was performing a series of maneuvers as part of the scheduled presentation.
During the third pass of the demonstration, witnesses observed the aircraft descending to an altitude of approximately 100 feet, significantly lower than previous passes. The aircraft then entered a pull-up maneuver with a very steep gradient. At the apex of this maneuver, the aircraft appeared to enter a turn and briefly reached an inverted position. Following this, the aircraft entered a steep dive, ultimately striking trees in a nearby forest and catching fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and one passenger.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight sequence and the mechanical condition of the aircraft. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies or technical failures that would have contributed to the loss of control. The investigation also noted that the pilot had a history of performing this specific sequence of maneuvers—consisting of a low pass followed by a pull-up and a turn or roll—during previous presentations.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the fatal outcome. While the pilot possessed significant flight experience, the investigation determined that the aircraft, an Aerocommandor 200 D, is not designed for aerobatic maneuvers. The primary cause of the accident was the execution of aerobatic maneuvers at a very low altitude, which left no margin for error when the aircraft entered the steep dive.