What happened
On June 5, 2021, at approximately 15:30, a Robin DR400-160, registration F-GKQG, was performing a takeoff from the grass runway 26 at Loudun aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by Aero Club Rennes Ille-et-Vilaine, was carrying a pilot and two passengers. Shortly after rotation, the aircraft began to deviate significantly to the left. The plane briefly climbed before touching down again outside the runway centerline.
As the aircraft continued its path at an angle of approximately 30 degrees to the runway, it entered the flying club's parking area. The right wing of the F-GKQG struck the left wing of a parked Robin DR400-120, registration F-GXJR, which was occupied by an instructor and a student pilot preparing for departure. The impact caused the parked aircraft to rotate 180 degrees. The F-GKQG continued its trajectory, striking a hangar door with its elevator and hitting a self-service refueling station with its left wing. Both aircraft were destroyed in the accident.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and the accident site, noting that the fuselage of the F-GKQG had been severed behind the cabin. Investigators found that the aircraft's flaps were in the fully extended position at the time of impact, as evidenced by damage to the left flap and the refueling station. While the flight controls were found to be continuous and functional, the pilot reported difficulty maintaining the centerline during the takeoff roll.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held a PPL(A), he had limited recent experience with the more powerful DR400-160 model, having primarily flown the less powerful DR400-120. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10 km and light winds.
Findings
- The pilot likely performed the takeoff with the flaps in the fully extended position without realizing it.
- The extended flap configuration caused an unexpected takeoff and increased the intensity of engine-induced effects, such as leftward yaw and roll.
- The pilot failed to provide sufficient corrective rudder input to counteract the leftward deviation.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience with the higher-performance DR400-160 may have contributed to an inability to manage the increased engine-induced torque and helical blast effects.