Accident to the Mudry Cap10BK registered F-GGYC on 23/05/2021 at Peyrolles-en-Provence

After five minutes and thirty seconds, during which the pilot performed several aerobatic figures under G-forces, he performed inverted flight for about ten seconds and then switched back to normal flight. During this manoeuvre, the G-force increased from approximately -1.9 g to +1.6 g in five seconds. The aircraft's flight path then curved sharply towards the ground as a result of a nose-down input on the elevator. The G-force decreased and reached -3.9 g. Based on the accelerometer data, this final path is similar to an English bunt manoeuvre. The aircraft continued its vertical path towards the ground until it collided with the surface of the lake.

The investigation was not able to determine with certainty whether the action on the controls was deliberate or not.

The following hypotheses can be envisaged to explain the loss of control by the pilot:

• The occurrence of partial or total incapacitation resulting from a succession of figures under negative and positive G-forces and which ended with a high negative G-force. This incapacitation may have taken the form of G-induced almost loss of consciousness (A-LOC), G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), a malaise due to a heart problem or another type of problem, or spatial disorientation. The pilot's medication for high blood pressure may have reduced his tolerance to the acceleration changes.
• The uncontrolled performance of an aerobatic figure by the pilot.
• The occurrence of an untimely event on board during the performance of the figure after passing the vertical axis (e.g. object incorrectly secured in the cockpit, reflex action of the passenger) which could have disturbed the pilot.

The occurrence of a technical malfunction, which the investigation was unable to rule out with certainty.