Introduction
On 29 July 2016, at approximately 9:10 local time, a Robin DR400-140B, registered F-BXEZ, was involved in an accident during a solo training flight at Vinon aerodrome (83). The aircraft was operated by a flying club and was heavily damaged. The following information is based on the pilot's and instructor's accounts and has not been independently validated.
Flight Details
The pilot, accompanied by an instructor, initially conducted a dual instruction session. During this session, the pilot satisfactorily performed a landing with reduced engine power and two airport circuits. He then departed for a solo instructional flight. On landing after the second circuit, the aircraft bounced. Following the third bounce, the pilot pushed the control stick forward, causing the aircraft to contact the runway on the nose gear. The nose gear subsequently broke.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated 31 total flight hours, including 11 hours in the preceding three months and 7 hours of solo instruction, all on the same aircraft type. The pilot reported having encountered a bounce only once before, during an early lesson, and was surprised by the amplitude of the first bounce and the number of bounces during this event.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions at the time, as observed by the pilot and instructor, were calm wind and CAVOK.
Conclusion
The accident sequence involved a landing with multiple bounces, culminating in a forward control input that resulted in a nose gear failure and substantial damage to the aircraft.