What happened
On November 22, 2014, a Tecnam P2002 JF, registration F-HANX, departed from Epinal-Dogneville for a cross-country flight to Semur-en-Auxois. Upon arrival, the pilot conducted a reconnaissance of the airfield and estimated a wind of approximately 15 knots from 160 degrees. After a missed approach due to an occupied runway, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 22.
During the landing roll, the pilot felt the right wing dip. The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway to the right, striking light signaling equipment before coming to a stop in a grassy area. The impact resulted in heavy damage to the aircraft, specifically involving the failure of the right main landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft. An eyewitness, an ultralight instructor, observed the aircraft on short final and noted that the aircraft required minimal sideslip correction. The witness also observed that the right main wheel made contact with the runway first during the flare.
While the pilot estimated a crosswind of 13 to 15 knots, local meteorological data indicated anticyclonic conditions with a southeast wind peaking at 8 knots. The pilot, aged 65, had approximately 200 total flight hours, with 40 hours on this specific type.
Findings
- The right main landing gear failed, likely during the landing roll, which caused the aircraft to exit the runway laterally.
- An investigation into the specific mechanical cause of the gear failure could not be completed as the landing gear could not be examined.
- The insufficient management of the crosswind effect may have contributed to the accident.