What happened
On February 22, 2012, a student pilot was performing the final solo flight of their training curriculum in a paramotor (identified as 68ADW) at the Montaigu-Saint-Georges aerodrome. The flight was being monitored by an instructor on the ground via a portable radio.
As the student approached the landing area near runway 25L, the instructor observed a pendulum ultralight (ULM) on final approach directly behind the student's aircraft. To prevent a mid-air collision, the instructor instructed the student to execute a left turn to reset the approach. To avoid causing confusion, the instructor did not explain the reason for the maneuver. In response to the instruction, the student initiated the turn while simultaneously increasing engine power. This combination of actions resulted in a spiral dive, leading the aircraft to strike the ground. The pilot sustained one injury.
The investigation
The BEA examined the operational environment at Montaigu-Saint-Georges, noting that the aerodrome hosts a high volume of diverse aircraft, including gliders, ultralights, and paramotors. The investigation focused on the lack of a dedicated, independent takeoff and landing zone for paramotors, which necessitates operating in close proximity to active runways.
Investigators also reviewed the communication protocols, finding that while an air-to-air frequency (123.5 MHz) is available, it is not used for instructor-student coordination to avoid frequency congestion. Furthermore, the specific area used by paramotors was not officially documented on the aerodrome's Visual Reporting Service (VAC) chart, and no formal regulatory oversight exists for the paramotor training school.
Findings
- The student pilot executed an overly wide and prolonged turn.
- The instructor's sudden instruction likely startled and distracted the student pilot.
- The proximity of different aviation activities at the aerodrome increased the risk of converging trajectories.
- The lack of a dedicated, separate platform for paramotor operations forced high-risk interactions between slow-moving paramotors and faster aircraft.
- The absence of the paramotor landing zone on official charts could lead to unexpected encounters for unfamiliar pilots.