Incident Overview
On 29 November 2017, a Jodel D140 R registered as F-HZEV was involved in an accident at the Banon altisurface (04). The aircraft was operated by a flying club on an instructional flight with an instructor and a student on board. The aircraft was heavily damaged.
Flight Sequence
The student, accompanied by an instructor seated in the right seat, departed from Berre La-Farre aerodrome (13) for a final evaluation flight in preparation for the practical exam for the mountain qualification. The student reported over the Banon altisurface and observed calm wind from the north. A high reconnaissance was performed at about 800 ft above the highest point of the strip, followed by a low reconnaissance at about 100 ft. The student then joined the downwind leg for runway 35.
In coordination with the instructor, the student selected a touchdown point beyond the cone marking the runway threshold and a aiming point before the cone. After landing, the student and instructor conducted a debriefing on the parking area at the top of the runway with the engine running. The student then took off from runway 28 for a second landing on runway 35.
During the flare, both the student and instructor heard a dull noise and felt a severe jolt. The aircraft touched down at the cone and veered left during the roll-out. The student taxied to the parking area, where it was noted that the left main landing gear was bent rearward and outward, and the left wheel fairing was damaged.
Post-Incident Discovery
Walking back up runway 35 to the threshold, the student and instructor discovered a tree stump located 27 meters before the runway threshold, protruding at least 20 centimeters above the ground and hidden by tall grass.
Additional Information
Both the student and instructor had landed on this strip numerous times. The instructor was aware of the stump's existence. He explained that they did not mention its presence during the reconnaissance because they were focused on frost present on the upper part of the runway.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was determined by the investigation.