What happened
On the afternoon of May 22, 2024, a microlight aircraft, registration 68ADW, was performing a flight near Saint-Brieuc, France. The aircraft was operating in the vicinity of the Saint-Brieuc aerodrome when it departed from its intended flight path. During the flight, the aircraft entered a descent that led to a collision with the ground in a field. The impact resulted in one fatality, as the pilot was killed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the circumstances leading to the loss of control. Investigators examined the sequence of events following the aircraft's departure from the controlled airspace near the aerodrome. The analysis included reviewing the flight trajectory and the environmental conditions at the time of the occurrence to determine why the aircraft deviated from its intended course and ultimately struck the terrain.
Findings
Technical analysis of the flight path established that the aircraft's descent was the primary factor in the accident. The investigation concluded that the uncontrolled descent of the 68ADW led directly to the impact with the ground. The investigation also noted the aircraft's position relative to the Saint-Brieuc aerodrome during the final stages of the flight.