History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by three family members, departed Valence-Chabeuil airport for Kempen, Netherlands, with a planned refueling stop at Nancy-Essey airport. Upon arrival, the AFIS officer informed the pilot that he was alone in the circuit and instructed him to call back when established on the downwind leg for runway 21. The pilot continued and reported on final approach, with wind reported at 12 knots from 250°. After touchdown, the pilot lost control, causing the aircraft to bounce and bank left. He reapplied power, but the left wingtip struck a runway light. The aircraft veered left off the runway; the nose wheel contacted the ground, and the aircraft bounced again. The pilot reduced power, and the aircraft came to a stop on its belly after spinning 180° to the right.
Additional Information
Accident Site and Wreckage
The wreckage came to rest on the left side of runway 21 in a grassy area. The landing gear had failed, and the aircraft rested on its belly. One runway light was broken. All damage resulted from the runway excursion. The three-blade metal propeller exhibited rearward bending and friction marks on the upper surfaces, consistent with an engine running at low speed.
Meteorological Information
Météo-France estimated conditions at Nancy-Essey at the accident time: wind 7 to 11 knots varying from 210° to 290°, visibility greater than 10 km, overcast ceiling with broken clouds at 5,600 ft. The METAR forecast possible gusts after 14:30.
Read-out of Computers
The aircraft was equipped with an RDM flight recorder and Garmin G1000 avionics. Data from both sources were synchronized. Over the runway threshold at 13:05:28, the aircraft was at standard height, on centerline, in 100% flaps configuration, with airspeed per the flight manual. During final approach and touchdown, wind calculated by G1000 matched forecasts: average 12 knots from 250°. At touchdown (13:05:37), nose-up attitude was 8° and stall warning sounded. One second later, roll of 17° left and nose-up attitude of 11° were recorded. The pilot reapplied power; yaw increased left. Stall warning remained active. At 13:05:41, the left wingtip struck a runway light. The aircraft stopped at 13:05:48.
Pilot and AFIS Officer Statements
The 68-year-old pilot held a PPL(A) issued July 2012 and SEP land rating valid to September 2022, with 491 total flight hours (310 on type, 11 in last 90 days). He stated that during final approach, the aircraft was aligned and parameters stable. During flare, he lost too much speed and applied full throttle. He noted that applying full throttle in the Cirrus requires pressing the right pedal firmly; otherwise, the aircraft veers left. He did not apply pedal input, believing this caused the veer-off. He attributed landing gear damage to holes and bumps in the grass. The AFIS officer observed the left wingtip strike the runway after the threshold; the aircraft hit the nose wheel hard, bounced, then came down in grass, causing gear failure. The officer did not notice gusts during final approach.
Conclusions
As the wheels touched down, the stall warning sounded. The aircraft's attitude increased, it bounced, and the pilot lost control, banking left. He reapplied power without countering engine torque effects, accentuating destabilization. The aircraft bounced again in the grassy area before stopping beside the runway.