BEA - Office of Investigations and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of the French Republic

10/20/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2023 09:38

Serious incident to the Socata Rallye 180 registered F-BVZU on 16/02/2023 at Bagnères de Luchon

Serious incident to the Socata Rallye 180 registered F-BVZU on 16/02/2023 at Bagnères de Luchon

Collision with trees on night approach

Responsible entity

France - BEA

Investigation progression Closed
Progress: 100%

Although aware that night was approaching, the pilot decided to undertake a ferry flight, believing that he would be able to reach his destination before the aeronautical night. The delays accumulated before the flight did not lead him to reconsider his decision to undertake the flight, and the pilot took off less than 15 minutes before sunset at his destination, at a time that would very likely not allow him to land before the aeronautical night.

En route, due to the low light conditions, he initially decided to divert. He felt that a diversion to Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport, which he had just passed, was not possible because of a controllers' strike. He therefore opted for Saint-Gaudens-Montréjeau aerodrome, which is not equipped for night flying. Unable to make out the runway, he continued on to his originally intended destination, with which he was more familiar, being aware of the surrounding terrain, and with very limited external visual references. He made contact with trees during the first approach, without losing control of the aeroplane.

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General information
Local date 16/02/2023
Responsible entity France - BEA
Scope of Investigation Full (Annex 13) type investigation
State or area of occurrence Europe and North Atlantic - France - 31 Haute-Garonne
Location Bagnères de Luchon AD
Human consequences None
Aircraft consequences Substantial
Occurrence class Accident
Occurence category CTOL: Collision with obstacle(s) during take-off and landing
File number BEA2023-0047
Flight Information
Aircraft category Fixed Wing - Aeroplane - Small Aeroplane - Small Aeroplane
Operator France - Other (Luchon Air Club Moteur)
Manufacturer / Model SOCATA - RALLYE180
Aircraft Registration F-BVZU
State of registry France
Last departure point France - LFBP (PUF): Pau Pyrénées
Planned destination France - LFCB : Bagnères de luchon
Flight phase Approach
Serial number 12562
Operator Type AG Flying club/school
Operation Type Non-Commercial Operations - Pleasure - Cross Country

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.