Accident to the Serge Pennec GAZ’AILE 2 identified 64AAC on 26/06/2018 at Gurmençon (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

Cat. 2 investigation report: simplified-format report, adapted to the circumstances of the occurrence and the investigation stakes.

The pilot took off from runway 07 at Oloron Herrère aerodrome at 19:50 for a local flight. Upon return, the engine shut down when the microlight was at an altitude of 1,500 ft, in descent and approximately 4 km from the aerodrome. The pilot continued gliding to the aerodrome but did not reach it. When he failed to return, his family raised the alarm. The wreckage was found the next morning in the commune of Gurmençon, approximately one kilometre from and on the centreline of runway 07.

The examinations conducted on the engine showed no evidence of malfunction that could have resulted in an uncommanded engine shutdown. However, signs of friction of a pinion observed on the reduction gearbox at the engine output would certainly have been accompanied by abnormal noises or vibrations that may have resulted in the pilot intentionally shutting down the engine.

The pilot attempted to glide to the runway that was around four kilometres away but the microlight’s performance rendered this action impossible. One kilometre before the threshold of the runway, at very low height, he decided to make a forced landing in a field that was unsuitable and lost control at low speed.