Cessna 172S accident at Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (F-GPBD)

Overview and flight details On 23 May 2015 at approximately 16:15 local time, a Cessna 172S registered F-GPBD, operated by a club for general aviation, departed Arcachon - La Teste-de-Buch for a navigation training flight to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and return. The aircraft carried a pilot and three passengers. ## Sequence of events After joining the circuit at Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, the pilot made a final approach to runway 28, an unpaved preferred runway measuring 1,200 by 60 meters with a landing distance available of 1,080 meters. Upon touchdown, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot applied firm left rudder, causing the aircraft to turn sharply left. It left the runway 200 meters further, crossed a 15-meter-wide taxiway, and came to rest straddling an 180-meter safety barrier bordering the airfield. ## Wreckage and airfield findings Examination of the wreckage revealed no malfunction or failure that could have caused the loss of control. The airfield is open to public air traffic. The VAC chart notes that north winds can produce strong turbulence on both runways. A glider pilot present confirmed no gliders were parked on the runway 28 threshold and that terrain and forest generate strong turbulence on final to runway 28 in north winds. ## Weather and pilot information Estimated site conditions included visibility over 10 km, wind from 330° to 360° at 10 to 15 kt average with gusts of 15 to 20 kt, temperature 20°C, and light turbulence. The pilot held a PPL(A) from 2002 and had about 650 total flight hours, including 52 on type and three in the preceding three months. The pilot reported strong turbulence in final that caused the aircraft to drop below the approach path and lose sight of the runway, and stated the aircraft was skidding left just before touchdown. ## Contributing factors The BEA concluded the accident resulted from loss of control during landing rollout in crosswind. Contributing factors included the pilot's decision not to discontinue the approach after it became destabilized, the flap configuration used, which differed from the aircraft flight manual recommendation for strong crosswind landings, and inappropriate rudder input (over-control) attributed to surprise and stress. The Cessna F172S flight manual states a demonstrated full-crosswind landing limit of 15 kt and advises using minimal flap required by runway length for strong crosswind landings.