What happened
On the morning of May 24, 2023, a Cessna 172 aircraft, registered F-GZRE, was performing a flight near Saint-Brieuc, France. The flight was being conducted for the purpose of aerial photography. During the flight, the pilot encountered a period of loss of control. The aircraft subsequently impacted a wooded area, resulting in the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of control and the subsequent impact. Investigators examined the flight path and the conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating in a manner consistent with aerial photography maneuvers when the incident occurred. The wreckage was located in a forested zone, and the impact was severe enough to cause the fatal outcome.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control of the aircraft during the flight.
- The aircraft was engaged in aerial photography maneuvers at the time of the event.
- The impact with the terrain in a wooded area was the direct cause of the fatal injury to the pilot.