What happened
On Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at approximately 16:30, a ULM Mignet HM 293 (identified as W73-KC) was conducting a local flight near Milhars, France. After roughly one hour of flight time, the pilot performed several 360-degree turns over a nearby farm to wave to a friend. An observer on the ground noted that the aircraft's engine power and flight path appeared normal as the pilot transitioned toward the final approach for the ultralight landing strip. However, at an altitude of approximately 80 meters, the aircraft suddenly pitched downward to the left and crashed roughly 400 meters from the runway entrance. The impact resulted in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight characteristics and the pilot's health. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures preceding the impact. Investigators noted a specific aerodynamic characteristic of the HM 293 model: the aircraft does not enter a dive upon reaching a stall angle of attack; such a pitch-down maneuver can only be initiated by a forward movement of the control stick.
Additionally, the investigation established that the pilot suffered from a medical condition that caused balance disorders. While such a condition is incompatible with the requirements for single-pilot flight in many categories, the investigation noted that no medical certification is required for the operation of ultralight aircraft (ULM).