History of the Flight
The pilot and passenger departed from Chavenay aerodrome (Yvelines) bound for Royan aerodrome (Charente-Maritime) and then to Pressignac-Vicq Rebeyrotte private aerodrome. On arrival, the pilot joined the downwind leg for unpaved runway 19. During the first landing attempt, the aeroplane bounced, touched down hard on the runway, and bounced again. The pilot executed a go-around and performed another aerodrome circuit. On the second approach, the aeroplane touched down approximately 500 m after the threshold of runway 19, to the left of the centreline, and immediately deviated to the left. The aeroplane exited the runway, crossed the aerodrome perimeter fence, and collided with trees.
Wreckage and Site Information
The wreckage was located approximately 600 m from the threshold of runway 19 and 40 m to the left of the runway centreline, at the foot of trees over 10 m tall. The first marks left by the main landing gear on the runway were approximately 110 m before the wreckage. The first mark corresponded to the right main landing gear and was located approximately 3 m before the mark left by the left landing gear. Approximately 30 m after the first mark, a runway light on the left side of the runway was damaged. A mark from the nose landing gear was observed after this damaged light. The marks then stopped at the bank bordering the runway before the perimeter fence. Damage to the propeller blades indicated that the engine was transmitting torque at the time of collision. The flap control lever was in the landing position. The runway was dry with short grass.
Meteorological Conditions
Météo-France estimated the following conditions at the accident site: wind from 340° at 9 kt, CAVOK, and temperature 30°C.
Pilot Information
The 63-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplanes (PPL(A)) issued in May 2009. He had logged approximately 550 flight hours, the majority on DR400s, with 12 hours in the previous three months, all on DR400s. He had visited the aerodrome once before and obtained authorization to go there on the day of the accident.
Aerodrome Information
Pressignac-Vicq Rebeyrotte aerodrome is a private aerodrome reserved for pilots with prior authorisation. It is at an altitude of 643 ft with an unpaved runway 01/19 measuring 800 m x 35 m. Landing is only possible on runway 19, with a landing distance available of 800 m. Runway 19 has an upward slope of approximately 5% over the first 150 m, approximately 3.5% over the next 550 m, then slopes slightly downwards. Low height flight over nearby villages and hamlets is prohibited.
Conclusions
The report concluded that after a first flight of two hours and a second flight of one hour and thirty minutes, the pilot joined the downwind leg of the aerodrome circuit for landing on runway 19. He mistakenly shortened the aerodrome circuit by turning too early onto the base leg to avoid flying over a farm. After bouncing twice on the first landing, he went around. During the second approach, he again turned too early onto the base leg. On a short final approach with a tailwind, he did not stabilise the approach due to excessive speed and a path offset from the centreline and above the approach slope. A loss of clear-headedness possibly from fatigue may have contributed to not aborting the approach. The aeroplane touched down approximately 500 m after the threshold, to the left of the centreline, deviated left, exited the runway, and collided with the fence and trees.