What happened
On September 24, 2016, a Robin DR 300-120, registration F-BSPY, was returning to Beauvais-Tillé aerodrome from a flight to Abbeville. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and two passengers. During the approach to runway 22, the pilot received information regarding a crosswind of 15 to 17 knots from 160 degrees.
The pilot reported that the touchdown occurred on the runway centerline despite some turbulence on short final. However, after several seconds of landing roll, the aircraft suddenly drifted to the left. Despite the pilot applying full right rudder, the aircraft could not be brought back to the centerline. The aircraft exited the paved surface approximately 200 meters from the runway threshold, crossed taxiway H, and struck a frangible signpost. The impact caused heavy damage to the left main landing gear and the left wing leading edge.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's technical specifications, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot, a PPL(A) holder with 180 flight hours, was familiar with the handling characteristics of the DR 300 family. Meteorological data confirmed CAVOK conditions, with a crosswind component of 13 to 15 knots from the left relative to the runway heading.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was a wind gust during the landing roll that caused the aircraft to deviate and lightened the nose, which in turn locked the nose gear in place.
- The pilot noted that a more significant forward pressure on the control column might have unlocked the nose gear.
- The crosswind effect, acting like a weathercock on the aircraft during deceleration, contributed to the lateral deviation.
- An alternative landing on runway 12 would have resulted in a significantly lower crosswind component.