Accident to the Socata TB9 registered D-ERST on 27/04/2023 at col de l'Espinouse pass

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

Note: the following information is principally based on the pilot’s statement. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. History of the flight

The pilot was carrying out glider towing flights at Puimoisson (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). Another glider pilot based at Puimoisson had landed at Château-Arnoux - Saint-Auban aerodrome (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). He contacted the tug pilot at around 16:00 to ask him to come and get him. The pilot towed another glider out of Puimoisson, released it and then continued his route to Château-Arnoux - Saint-Auban.

After cruising for a few minutes at an altitude of 3,900 ft, the engine power decreased. The pilot stated that he set the mixture to full rich, the propeller to full low pitch and increased throttle. He thought that the engine restarted and then heard two loud bangs. As the engine did not start up again, he started making a U-turn towards a suitable field for an emergency landing. During the U-turn, he tried one last time to start up the engine by acting on the mixture, propeller pitch, throttle, carburettor heat system, electric fuel pump, alternator and fuel valve, without success. He then made a Mayday call on the Château-Arnoux - Saint-Auban frequency.

The pilot was too low to land where he had planned. He chose a new field that was closer. On final, he saw a power line situated just before his aiming point. He pushed the stick forward to pass under the line while keeping it in view, cut off the magnetos during the flare and then the master switch and fuel during the run.

The aeroplane finished its run on an upward slope in the field (see Figure 1). The left main landing gear and nose gear were torn off, the propeller was twisted and the left wing damaged.

Figure 1: photo of aeroplane on site (source: pilot)

2. Additional information

The 27-year-old pilot held a CPL(A) licence with IR, SEP, MEP and sailplane towing ratings. He had logged 230 flight hours , including 10 hours on type.

The pilot reported that the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were as follows: CAVOK, a valley breeze of 5 to 8 kt, ground temperature 22 °C.

At the time of publication of this report, the results of the engine examinations had not been communicated to the BEA.

January 2024