In 2020, the BEA published 97 reports concerning light aeroplane accidents.
Four topics are particularly dominant in these reports:

1. Lack of recent experience

The lack of recent experience or training are factors which frequently appear in the accident reports. The following reports illustrate this topic:

•    F-BAHL on 30 May 2015 at Blois-Le-Beuil.
•    F-AZYK on 8 April 2018 at Lens Bénifontaine.
•    F-GEJD on 13 June 2019 at Saillagouse.
•    F-GKVZ on 17 November 2018 à Pleslin-Trivagou.
•    F-BUEQ on 29 March 2019 at Semur-en-Auxois.

Seven people were fatally injured and three people were injured in the occurrences mentioned.

2. Taking of risks and non-essential manoeuvres for the management of the flight 

Following an accident in 2017, the BEA carried out a study which showed that since 2004, in France, taking all categories together, more than 120 accidents occurred during unnecessary manoeuvres for normal flight management, denoting clear risk taking by the pilot. These included at least 70 fatal accidents causing the death of around 120 people, i.e. 13.5% of the deaths in general aviation accidents since 2004. In more than half of these 120 accidents, the site flown over (aerodromes, dwellings, open-air assembly of persons) suggests that the pilot may have been seeking to perform a form of demonstration for third parties on the ground. In more than 20 cases, the presence of spectators on the ground, in particular the pilot’s family and friends, was confirmed. This form of demonstration may also have been carried out for passengers. In two thirds of the listed cases, the pilot was accompanied by at least one passenger.

The reports concerning the accident to F-AZYK on 8 April 2018 at Lens Bénifontaine and to F-BAHL on 30 May 2015 at Blois-le-Beuil, illustrate this safety topic.

Similar occurrences published in 2020: 

The report concerning the accident to F-HSTL on 28 September 2019 at Albi  also deals with risk taking. Topics concerning the consumption of alcohol, collective competitive spirit and improvisation of a night flight from an unlit airport are discussed.
These subjects are also developed in the report concernin F-OIAT on 4 January 2020 at Lifou.

Seven people were fatally injured and one person was injured in the occurrences mentioned.

3. Rejected landing and go-around

When confronted with an unexpected situation during the landing (long flare, bounce, lateral swerve), the pilot may have to make choices in a very dynamic situation: continue the landing with the risk of damaging the plane or take-off again. The study of previous events shows that the accidents with the most serious consequences during the take-off occur, above all, during go-arounds performed with insufficient control of the aircraft. On the other hand, the accidents which occurred when the landing was continued, while they often lead to material damage, rarely result, on a light aeroplane, in serious or fatal injuries. During training or recurrent training, it is important to mention the various mechanical phenomena of the flight occurring during a rejected landing. It is also essential to consider all the criteria to be taken into account in order to decide whether it is preferable to reject rather than continue the landing.

The report concerning the accident to F-GJZH on 17 December 2019 at Belfort  illustrates this safety topic.

Similar occurrences published in 2020: 
•    D-EFZF on 31 May 2019 at Tours Val de Loire.
•    F-BUEQ on 29 March 2019 at Semur-en-Auxois.
•    F-GEJD on 13 June 2019 at Saillagouse.
•    F-HDLA on 9 April 2017 at Chelles Le Pin.

Three people were fatally injured and four people were injured in the occurrences mentioned.

4. Aircraft maintenance

In several accidents, contributing factors concerning plane maintenance were identified. The reports concerning the accidents to F-BMBX on 10 August 2016 at Salles d’Argelès  and to F-GAMJ on 3 July 2017 at Granville – Mont Saint-Michel  illustrate this safety topic.

Two other reports underline the link between a maintenance error and an inflight loss of engine power due to a fuel shortage:
•    F-GJZT on 10 August 2019 at Ceyssac.
•    F-GBCR on 7 July 2018 at Saône.

One person was injured in the occurrences mentioned.