What happened
On July 8, 2023, a Piper PA2 .28-181 Archer II, registered F-HDYN, was performing a commercial sightseeing flight at Lognes - Émerainville aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by Club Air Pilot, was carrying a pilot and two passengers when the accident occurred during the landing phase.
During the final approach, the aircraft's speed was approximately 10 knots higher than the recommended approach speed. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced five times along the runway without corrective input from the pilot. In an attempt to improve braking effectiveness, the pilot partially retracted the flaps. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the pilot decided to execute a balked landing to avoid a runway excursion.
During this maneuver, the pilot applied significant nose-up pitch while the carburettor heat remained engaged. The aircraft entered the backside of the power curve, triggering the stall warning. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of only about two meters before striking the aerodrome's perimeter fence. The aircraft finally came to rest 375 meters past the end of the runway, underneath a crash barrier for the adjacent N104 highway. The aircraft was destroyed, and the two passengers sustained slight injuries.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined the flight sequence using pilot statements, passenger testimony, and video analysis from a passenger's camera. The investigators also reviewed the regulatory status of the operator, Club Air Pilot. The investigation established that the company was offering "light instruction flights" through online marketplaces and gift boxes without holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or an operating license. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot was performing these flights as a private pilot under significant pressure to maintain passenger satisfaction and manage a busy schedule, often without providing the required pre-flight theoretical briefings.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a balked landing with insufficient runway remaining (approximately 200 meters).
- The aircraft was flying on the backside of the power curve during the climb-out.
- The pilot maintained a steep nose-up attitude while the carburettor heat was still ON.
- The aircraft's approach speed was significantly higher than recommended.
- The operator was conducting commercial-style services outside of the legal regulatory framework for introductory flights.
- The pilot was subject to operational pressures related to passenger reviews and scheduling.