Accident to the Socata Rallye 100 registered F-BUNQ on 29/05/2022 at Saône

Flying back to the aerodrome where he was based after a cross-country flight, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power, then the engine shut down at the start of the base leg. Despite twice carrying out the steps specified in the engine shutdown procedure, the engine did not restart. Given the vegetation and the urban environment in the vicinity of the aerodrome, the height at which the engine shut down (combined with the surprise effect and the time required to carry out the actions for restarting the engine), the possibilities regarding the fields available for the forced landing may have been restricted.

Having considered that a gliding approach would not allow him to reach the aerodrome, the pilot identified a first field for landing. Realising that he was too high to land in this field, he selected another field. On landing, the nose gear and right main landing gear collided with a bank and the aeroplane came to a stop on its nose.

The cause of the reduction in engine power and of the engine shutdown was not determined.