The 44BDO was a Shark type multi-axis ULM, with radio indication F-JJBD. © Icarela / BEA
In May 2023, the owner of a Shark ULM died while returning from an outing in Corsica. The BEA investigation highlights a number of factors which may have contributed to the accident: marginal weather conditions, hypoxia, the pilot’s recent experience and his state of health, communication with ATC.
After a stay in Corsica, three pilots aboard as many Shark-type ULMs decide to return to their home airfield. On May 12, 2023, the three pilots take off from Figari around 8 a.m. for a short stopover in Avignon.
Two pilots take off to reach Le Havre-Octeville when the third takes off for La Baule-Escoublac. Faced with a significant cloud mass approaching the Massif Central, the first two pilots mentioned decided to divert to Mende and Vichy respectively. The third, aboard the Shark designated 44BDO, tries to avoid the cloud mass by heading north.
The ULM flies between cloud layers, at an altitude varying between 8,000 and 10,500 ft. The pilot told ATC that he was diverting to the north and asked for the weather forecast for Le Havre. A little over 1h15 after taking off from Avignon, the Shark 44BDO reached an altitude of 12,500 ft. The pilot then lost control of the ULM. Neither the “level” function nor the cell parachute were activated by the pilot.
The attitude reaches -25° nose-down, the vertical speed exceeds 10,000 ft/min and the ULM flies at 550 km/h, well exceeding the VNE (327 km/h). The pilot reduced the throttle, but one minute after losing control, at 5,000 ft the ULM broke up in flight. The wreckage catches fire after colliding with the ground.
In its final investigation report, the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) notes several factors which may have contributed to the accident, such as so many Reason plates being pierced in succession. The study of the weather on the route was only carried out by one of the three pilots, who estimated that they could pass the Massif Central before the deterioration announced by the forecasts. The TEMSI map predicted broken overcast clouds between 1,500 and 11,000 ft as well as Tower Cumulus associated with a risk of moderate icing.
In addition to insufficient flight preparation with regard to the weather conditions, the BEA also refers to the destination objective associated with the group effect, which alters the judgment of the pilot who wants to continue despite everything.
The investigation highlighted the lack of exchanges between the pilot and ATC, which was unable to detect an emergency situation allowing it to assist the pilot in his navigation and in making decisions.
Finally, the BEA recalls the necessary self-diagnosis of the state of health of pilots before undertaking a flight. The pilot of the accident Shark, according to those close to him, suffered from sleep apnea and being overweight which may have contributed to an increased sensitivity to hypoxia. In addition, the consumption of CBD could, again according to the BEA, alter the perception of danger.
To read the BEA investigation report.
Network text: In May 2023, a Shark-type ULM broke up in flight after losing control in flight. The BEA highlights in its investigation report a number of factors which could have led to the accident.
#BEA #ULM #Shark #accident
