Accident to the Nicollier HN700 registered F-PADB on 02/05/2022 at Blois-Le Breuil

Incorrect installation of roll control cables, loss of control on take-off, tipping over, collision with the ground

Responsible entity

France - BEA

Investigation progression Closed

Progress: 100%

As part of the removal of the manual rudder control installed on F-PADB and of several maintenance operations, the pilot carried out a number of critical tasks alone. On reassembling the roll control linkage, he incorrectly assembled the control linkage cables, making the aeroplane uncontrollable in roll.

During the take-off, the aeroplane tipped over and collided with the ground.

Final report (12/02/2026)

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General information
Local date	02/05/2022
Responsible entity	France - BEA
State or area of occurrence	France - 41 Loir-et-Cher
Location	Blois le Breuil AD
Human consequences	Fatal
Number of death	1
Aircraft consequences	Destroyed
Occurrence class	Accident
Occurence category	LOC-I: Loss of control - inflight, SCF-NP: System/component failure or malfunction [non-powerplant]
File number	BEA2022-0185

Flight Information
Aircraft category	Aeroplane - Small aeroplane
Operator	France - Private Operator
Manufacturer / Model	NICCOLLIER - HN700
Aircraft Registration	F-PADB
State of registry	France
Last departure point	France - LFOQ : Blois Le Breuil
Planned destination	France - LFOQ : Blois Le Breuil
Flight phase	Take-off
Serial number	79
Operator Type AG	Private owner
Operation Type	Non-Commercial Operations - Test Flight - Post Maintenance Functional Check Flight

BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.