Accident to the Shark identified 22LE on 23/06/2024 at Saint-Pol-de-Léon

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The investigation was unable to determine what weather information the pilot had obtained before departing. However, the latter undertook this flight when the meteorological conditions were marginal at the departure airport and the available meteorological information indicated that the conditions were adverse for a VFR flight on the planned route.

Although he had planned to fly at an altitude of 1,500 ft, the pilot progressively descended to 600 ft probably to remain under the cloud cover. After carrying out several turns and altitude changes, very probably to avoid clouds, the pilot entered the cloud layer and lost external visual references. He then lost control of the microlight which collided with the ground a few
minutes later.

The pressure stemming from the presence of a passenger may have led the pilot to adhere to the planned navigation, as the flight had already been cancelled once. Furthermore, the flight purchased for the passenger was a flight to Ouessant, west of Lannion. This may have incited the pilot to head west, even though conditions were more favourable for a VFR flight in the eastern sector of Lannion. Once the flight had begun, it was even more difficult for the pilot to decide to change the route or shorten the 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.