History of the Flight
A student pilot and an instructor completed three left-hand aerodrome traffic circuits into runway 22 in preparation for the student's first solo flight. After landing, the instructor authorized the student to complete a solo circuit. The student took off from runway 22 and began her circuit. On landing, the aircraft bounced, and the student took off again, re-joining the downwind leg. On the second landing, the aircraft bounced again and entered a side-to-side roll movement at a height of about three metres. The student aborted the landing; the aircraft gained height, banked left, and entered a steep nose-up attitude. The student lost control, and the aircraft collided with the ground near the aerodrome hangars.
Site and Wreckage Information
Examination showed the aircraft hit the ground upside down in a steep nose-down attitude. The wreckage was intact and in one location. No technical faults that could have contributed to the accident were found. The canopy was closed; flaps were in take-off configuration; elevator trim was near neutral.
Meteorological Conditions
Meteorological reports from Le Bourget airport (8 NM away) indicated variable wind of 2 kt, CAVOK, and temperature 25°C. Initially, flights used runway 04; later runway 22 was used due to a slight tailwind component. Pilots reported light wind.
Aerodrome Information
Chelles Le Pin is an uncontrolled aerodrome open to public traffic, restricted by NOTAM to based aircraft. It is located in an urban environment with vegetation obstacles. Runway 22's approach slope is standard 3°. Bumps at the runway intersection were noted by pilots as potential causes of slight bounces.
Flight Path Analysis
GNSS data showed final approach slopes were steep (up to 5.5°) during both dual and solo flights. Ground speed on finals was around 55 kt. The student's solo circuit pattern was similar to that of the dual flight. Previous flights also showed steep slopes regardless of runway used.
Student Pilot and Instructor Information
The 26-year-old student pilot had about 17 hours 30 minutes of flight training on the accident aircraft, all at the Aéroclub de la Région de Chelles. Her training record showed no particular difficulties. The 28-year-old instructor held a CPL(A) and instructor rating, with 890 total hours including 50 on Sportstar and 620 as instructor. He noted the student was committed and managed stress well.
Statements
The instructor who began the student's training indicated she taught the student to perform a go-around if the aircraft did not touchdown shortly after the threshold or if a bounce occurred. She noted the Sportstar is sensitive to bounced landings. A witness reported the instructor appeared tense before the solo flight and said the student tended to switch off when given too much information. The witness described the first approach as smooth but the first bounce led to a controlled go-around. The second bounce was uncontrolled, with the aircraft rolling side-to-side at about 3 m height.