Accident to the FK9 identified 974PQ on 06/08/2022 at Saint-Paul
Loss of control on final during a simulated engine failure exercise, collision with ground, in instruction
Control was lost of a microlight during manoeuvres on final approach when the pilot was in instruction. One of the training objectives of this instruction session was to carry out an “S” approach with the engine in idle.
The presence of a tailwind component when the pilot was carrying out this exercise may have prompted him to make tighter turns. Just before the loss of control, the microlight was at a low height, close to the runway threshold and offset to its RH side. This seems to indicate that they were in a situation where the exercise could no longer be safely carried out to its conclusion. The investigation was not able to explain the reasons why the instructor did not bring the exercise to a - 9 - stop earlier. It is, however, possible, that as the back rest of the instructor’s seat was not locked, this could have prevented him from effectively taking the controls (or interfered with the pilot’s actions).
The company manager had informed the instructor of the absence of the left seat locking bar and had put 974PQ in a hanger locked by key. However, the instructor minimised the risks associated with the seat not being locked and decided to carry out a flight on this microlight in order not to disturb people sat at a table in front of the club hangar and blocking the access to the other two FK9.