What happened
On August 2, 2006, a Cessna 150 L (registration F-BVBU) was performing a solo navigation flight from Toussus-le-Noble to Chartres. The pilot, a student with 88 total flight hours, was conducting his fourth solo flight under the supervision of an instructor.
During the approach to runway 28 at Chartres, the pilot encountered a tailwind. While executing the final turn, the pilot realized the aircraft was too high and too fast, subsequently reducing engine power. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, it was flying at a low altitude and a speed of approximately 40 knots. At this point, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and pulling back sharply on the control column. This aggressive pitch-up maneuver caused the aircraft to stall. The tail of the plane struck the ground near the runway entrance, after which the aircraft pitched forward and overturned.
Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft on a very short final at an altitude of roughly five meters and a very low airspeed. They noted the engine power increase and observed the aircraft pitching up significantly before appearing to stall and fall vertically.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's approach and the subsequent recovery attempt. It was noted that the pilot had entered the traffic pattern without performing a vertical reconnaissance of the airfield installations and had failed to observe the windsock or receive meteorological information via radio.
While the position of the flaps at the moment of impact could not be determined from the wreckage, the pilot stated he had extended them to 20 degrees during the final approach. The investigation also noted that neither the student pilot nor the instructor had previously experienced a situation requiring a go-around during the student's training.