What happened
On September 12, 2013, a SOCATA TB200, registration F-HTEF, departed Poitiers for Cannes as a private VFR flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger. During the flight, the pilot contacted Limoges flight information, noting that the weather was becoming "a little dirty." While flying near Ussel, the pilot was advised by air traffic control to turn right to avoid an active military zone at La Courtine. Radar tracking showed the pilot performing several heading changes as the aircraft approached the mountainous terrain.
At approximately 09:48, radar contact was lost while the aircraft was flying at 3,200 ft on a heading of roughly 110°. The wreckage was eventually located approximately 20 NM east of Ussel, northwest of Puy de Sancy. The aircraft had struck trees in a forest at an altitude of approximately 4,000 ft. The impact occurred at a high speed with the aircraft in a nearly level attitude and wings level. A post-impact fire, fueled by ruptured tanks, destroyed the aircraft. The pilot and the passenger both sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's technical state, and the meteorological conditions. The pilot had significant experience, with approximately 256 flight hours recorded as of 2004. The aircraft was equipped with a Garmin 430 GPS and a portable Garmin 496, though no useful data could be extracted from these units.
Meteorological analysis revealed that the Massif Central region was experiencing a very humid air mass with low, thick clouds and degraded visibility. Evidence showed that the pilot had consulted a weather forecaster both the day before and the morning of the flight. The forecaster had identified that weather conditions approaching the Massif Central were incompatible with the planned flight path to Cannes and had suggested an alternative route or a delay.
Findings
- The pilot continued the flight despite being aware that weather conditions were deteriorating near the Massif Central terrain.
- Radar tracks and communications indicated a persistent effort to follow the originally planned route.
- The aircraft's final heading toward the south/southwest suggests a possible attempt to skirt the terrain in hopes of finding better weather.
- The aircraft's attitude at impact made a stabilized turn-around unlikely.
- The accident resulted from the pilot's late decision to modify his flight plan.
- The availability of navigation equipment capable of operating in marginal weather may have contributed to the decision to proceed.