What happened
On April 17, 2017, a private Lancair (registration PH-COL) departed from Montpellier-Méditerranée airport for a local flight. During the takeoff roll on runway 12R, the pilot noted an engine anomaly. Although no loss of power was detected, the irregular engine behavior persisted during the climb. Due to the presence of urban areas and lagoons beneath the flight path, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing.
The pilot requested to land on the opposite runway, 30R, but did not declare an emergency or distress. Because of other traffic on final approach for runway 12L, air traffic control did not grant the requested runway. The pilot subsequently executed a wide left turn before turning right to align with runway 30L. During the approach, the pilot deployed the landing gear but failed to extend the flaps. Realizing the aircraft was too high and fast, the pilot chose to continue the approach rather than attempt a go-around, fearing further engine issues. The aircraft made a hard landing on the main gear, causing the nose gear to collapse upon impact. The aircraft then slid approximately 200 meters along the runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and cockpit management during the engine malfunction. Investigators examined the pilot's communication with air traffic control and the configuration of the aircraft during the final approach. The inquiry also looked into the pilot's failure to execute a standard checklist and the impact of stress on flight operations.