What happened
On Wednesday, August 20, 2003, at 09:50, a Murphy Rebel amateur-built aircraft, registration F-PSKX, was performing a ferry flight from Cannes Mandelieu to Aix-les-Milles for a certificate of airworthiness renewal. During the landing on runway 33, the aircraft drifted to the right after approximately 350 meters of ground roll with 10 degrees of flaps extended.
As the aircraft veered off the runway, it crossed a grassy area and a parallel taxiway. The pilot, attempting to correct the deviation, applied left braking and increased engine power to regain control effectiveness. In an effort to clear the elevation of the taxiway, the pilot further increased power and pulled back on the control column, resulting in a brief period of flight before the aircraft stalled and struck the ground heavily on its nose and right wheel. The aircraft traveled a total distance of over 550 meters from the initial touchdown to the final impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, engine performance, and the pilot's actions. Witnesses, all of whom were aviation professionals, observed the landing and noted that the approach and ground speeds appeared high. They also reported hearing the engine accelerate as the aircraft left the runway.
Physical evidence, including tracks left on the runway and in the grass, corroborated both the pilot's account and the witness statements. Analysis of the propeller indicated that the engine was delivering power at the moment of the final impact. Meteorological data from the Aix-les-Milles automated station showed light winds and CAVOK conditions at the time of the accident.