What happened
On 28 July 2020, a Cirrus SR22, registration PH-S_JN, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Valence-Chabeuil to Kempen, Netherlands, with a planned refueling stop at Nancy-Essey airport. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers.
During the final approach to runway 21, the aircraft was flying at a stable speed and aligned with the centerline. However, upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a nose-up attitude that triggered the stall warning. The aircraft bounced and began to bank to the left. In an attempt to correct the situation, the pilot applied full power; however, this action, combined with a lack of sufficient rudder input to counter engine torque, caused the aircraft to veer further left. During the excursion, the left wing tip struck a runway light, and the aircraft eventually veered off the paved surface into a grassy area. The landing gear failed during the impact, and the aircraft came to a stop on its belly after spinning 180 degrees.
The investigation
The BEA analyzed data from the aircraft's RDM (Recoverable Data Module) and the Garmin G1000 avionics suite. The investigation established that the aircraft's approach parameters, including airspeed and configuration, were compliant with flight manual recommendations. Investigators also examined the wreckage, noting that the propeller blades showed damage consistent with the engine running at low speed during the excursion. Meteorological data from Météo-France confirmed wind conditions were consistent with the aircraft's recorded flight parameters.