What happened
On November 29, 2017, a Jodel D140 R, registration F-HZEV, was conducting a training flight for a mountain qualification exam. The flight, operated by a flying club, involved a student pilot and an instructor. After departing from Berre La-Farre, the crew performed reconnaissance passes over the Banon altisurface, noting calm north winds.
Following an initial landing on runway 35, the crew conducted a debriefing with the engine running. The student pilot then departed from runway 28 to perform a second landing on runway 35. During the flare maneuver, the crew experienced a severe shock and heard a loud thud. The aircraft touched down at the runway cone and veered to the left during the landing roll. Upon inspecting the aircraft at the parking area, the crew discovered that the left main landing gear was bent backward and outward, and the wheel fairing was damaged.
The investigation
Investigators examined the runway environment and the aircraft's flight path. The crew walked up runway 35 to the threshold, where they identified a tree stump located 27 meters before the runway threshold. The stump protruded at least 20 centimeters from the ground and was obscured by tall grass.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact between the left main landing gear and a tree stump during the landing flare.
- The tree stump was difficult to detect because it was hidden by tall vegetation.
- Although the instructor was aware of the stump's existence, the crew did not discuss it during their reconnaissance because their attention was focused on observing gravel on the upper portion of the runway.