Accident Overview
On 16 November 2019, a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GCAO, operated by the Aéroclub de Saint Dié, was involved in an accident at Épinal-Dogneville airfield (Vosges, France). The pilot, the sole occupant, was conducting a navigation flight with planned touch-and-go landings at Lunéville-Croismare and Épinal-Dogneville. During the landing flare on runway 20, the right wing collided with a sign marking holding point D, located between the runway and taxiway P. The aircraft was damaged.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 84, held a Private Pilot License (PPL) and had accumulated approximately 680 flight hours, of which about 590 were as pilot-in-command (PIC). In the three months before the accident, he had logged about six hours as PIC. One month prior, he had completed one hour of instruction. He reported that he had undergone cataract surgery with lens implants one year earlier.
Flight Sequence
The pilot integrated directly into a right-hand downwind for runway 20, as that runway was in use by other aircraft in the circuit. He intended to perform a touch-and-go and selected an aiming point very close to the displaced threshold. On final approach, he faced the sun, which was at an azimuth of 206° (aligned with the runway) and 19° above the horizon. During the flare, he was dazzled by the sun and did not see the sign. He did not consider a go-around because he believed the approach was stabilized. After the collision, he completed the landing and taxied to the parking area.
Aircraft Damage
The collision caused a deep tear in the right wing's skin, extending from the lower surface to the rear of the upper surface. The central wing box and spar were destroyed by the sign's penetration. The aileron control cables were damaged, and the right flap was twisted.
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the accident, the sky was few clouds, and the wind was from the south at about 5 knots. Sunset was at 17:37 local time.
Aerodrome Information
Épinal-Dogneville has a single grass runway 02/20, 710 m long and 90 m wide. Runway 20 has a displaced threshold, reducing the usable landing distance to 620 m. Taxiway P, also grass, is located to the left of runway 20 and is 20 m wide. The strip between the runway and taxiway is approximately 30 m wide. The sign for holding point D was situated on this strip, about 70 m from the runway centerline and before the displaced threshold.
Pilot Remarks
The pilot stated he was dazzled by the sun during the flare and did not see the sign. He was wearing a cap and sunglasses, which he reported were suitable for his vision. He had previously landed at Épinal-Dogneville multiple times.