What happened
On January 22, 2006, a Robin DR 400-160 "Major", registered F-GEKE, departed Oloron-Herrère for a local sightseeing flight with three passengers. While the initial flight plan involved flying along the coast toward Biarritz, the pilot later informed air traffic control of an intention to perform a "slight flyover of the Pyrenees" before returning to Oloron.
While flying at a low altitude and low airspeed over the ski slopes near La Pierre-Saint-Martin, the aircraft entered a sudden right-hand bank and pitched sharply toward the ground. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude and low speed. The impact, which occurred at approximately 2,072 meters, resulted in four fatalities (the pilot and three passengers) and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of mechanical failure in the engine, propeller, or flight controls. The aircraft was within its weight and balance limits, and the flaps were set to the first notch.
Radar data confirmed the aircraft's trajectory, showing a decrease in groundspeed to 63 knots in the final 45 seconds of flight. The investigation also noted that the pilot's experience in mountain flying was extremely limited, consisting only of a single introductory flight with an instructor. Furthermore, while the pilot had attended a theoretical course on mountain aerology, he did not hold a formal mountain flying qualification.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a low altitude and low airspeed in highly turbulent air.
- Strong winds and downdrafts were present in the area, as confirmed by witnesses and the rescue helicopter pilot.
- The pilot's flight path followed an upward slope, which likely caused a loss of visual horizon references, leading to a stall.
- The pilot's lack of specific mountain flying experience contributed to the loss of control during the encounter with turbulent mountain air.