What happened
On September 22, 2012, a Diamond DA40D, registration F-GUVI, departed Albi for Montpellier as part of a visual flight rules (VFR) navigation training session. The aircraft was occupied by an instructor, a student pilot, and a second student in the rear seat. To avoid weather conditions encountered during the flight, the instructor decided to deviate from the original route by flying north of Castres.
As the aircraft entered the Agout valley, the instructor took control of the aircraft and reduced power to descend into the gorge. The instructor noted that while they were familiar with some nearby valleys, they were not specifically acquainted with this particular terrain. As the valley narrowed, the instructor realized that a turnaround was impossible. Despite applying maximum power to clear the rising terrain, the aircraft approached the treetops. Realizing a collision was imminent, the instructor reduced power to initiate a forced landing. The main landing gear struck a tree approximately 15 meters tall, causing the aircraft to drop almost vertically into the forest. The airframe came to rest two meters above the ground after being slowed by branches. Although the canopy opened and tilted forward upon impact, all three occupants escaped the wreckage uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and the decision-making process of the crew. Analysis of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) parameters confirmed that the engine was operating normally and that the climb performance was consistent with expected values for the aircraft's weight and the prevailing meteorological conditions.
The investigation also examined the instructor's professional circumstances. At the time of the accident, the instructor was facing the end of their contract with the flight school due to a financial dispute and was scheduled to leave the organization at the end of the month. The instructor noted that the emotional weight of conducting final training sessions with students, combined with recent professional fatigue, may have influenced their judgment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the instructor's improvised decision to conduct a low-altitude flight through an unfamiliar valley.
- A lack of familiarity with the specific terrain led to an underestimation of the risks associated with low-level maneuvering.
- The instructor's professional situation and the end of their tenure with the flight school may have contributed to the decision-making error.