Safety in Figures - BSV no.50
The table below summarises the accident statistics recorded from 1st January to 30 June 2018, ranking casualties by severity and distinguishing purely material-damage accidents. The second table shows microlight accidents involving French-registered aircraft that took place abroad with foreign crews.
The monthly statistics are updated according to the latest information available (see the chart below), although not all minor accidents may appear in the current month as they sometimes reach us late (updates for older accidents received recently).
Number of events by severity and by month (all microlights registered in France)
Over the first half of the year we see a downward trend in the number of fatal accidents in France compared with previous years, even though in June there were two accidents with three deaths involving French-registered microlights flown by foreign crews (2 deaths in Spain and 1 in Belgium).
In general, we note that many accidents are still the result of basic piloting errors (low speed, poorly anticipated engine failures, etc.), and a few particular cases also suggest that the flight undertaken by some pilots did not fall within a “conventional” flight envelope (low flying, low-level manoeuvres, etc.).
This calls for action, and to that end we could regard microlight flying as an activity in which the pilot’s mindset is not to have fun, but on the contrary to keep improving by seeking excellence in their own flying. So engine failure training, “REVs”, and also conversations with experienced instructors will always allow everyone to progress and increase their degree of mastery. Sometimes it is better to ask a simple question and risk looking ignorant than to look for the answer through an experience that could prove very costly.
To conclude, we wish everyone an excellent summer season, bearing in mind the very changeable weather factors this summer, which will not fail to put our judgement to the test.
Pierre Kolodziej
Flight Safety Committee
Editorial
Weak signals
In our search to improve flight safety, several lines of action are possible and should be used.
One is improving knowledge, by staying curious about regulatory changes, flight theory, methods and training, reading the BSV, and so on.
The Analyst's analysis
In May 2017, the BEA published its report on the accident involving the FK12 Comet microlight, registration 974-GJ, which occurred on 27 August 2016 at Sours (28). Both occupants of the aircraft were seriously injured.
Training Corner
The holidays are coming, and the sky is going to fill up with aircraft of every kind, just like the roads of France.
With good weather back, we can at last put an end to our flying frustration, as the season really got going later this year.
What about doing a REV? > video guide
A question about the REV programme? > see our dedicated FAQ
