What happened
On August 19, 2015, a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GBAB, was conducting a local flight from the Eu Mers Le Tréport aerodrome with a pilot and three passengers. Following a previous flight to Abbeville, the pilot taxied to the holding point and completed checklist procedures. Notably, engine tests were not performed prior to takeoff as they had been completed during the preceding flight.
Upon takeoff from runway 23, the aircraft experienced an engine misfire followed by vibrations and a significant reduction in engine power during the initial climb. Due to the heavily urbanized area beneath the flight path, the pilot determined that an off-field landing was not a viable option. The pilot subsequently performed a left-hand turn to attempt an approach to the opposite runway, runway 05.
The aircraft intercepted runway 05 approximately 400 meters past the threshold at a descent angle of about 15 degrees. While the wheels made contact with the runway, the aircraft veered off the paved surface and underwent a ground loop. The incident resulted in one minor injury to the pilot and heavy damage to the aircraft, specifically to the landing gear and wings.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the engine malfunction and the pilot's decision-making regarding the emergency landing. Investigators reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting a private pilot license with 2,875 total flight hours, including over 150 hours on the Robin DR400-120. The investigation also considered the environmental constraints of the airfield and the lack of suitable landing areas in the immediate vicinity of the flight path.