Flight History
On 24 September 2017, at approximately 10:40 local time, a Robin DR400-120, registered F-GSBE, departed from Saint-André-de-l'Eure aerodrome for a circular navigation flight with planned touch-and-go landings at Rouen and L'Aigle. Upon arrival at Rouen Vallée de Seine, the pilot entered the downwind leg for runway 22 (QFU 222°, dimensions 1700 m by 45 m). The approach was flown at 130 km/h, above the 110 km/h approach speed specified in the flight manual. The landing and initial rollout appeared normal. During power application for the touch-and-go, the aircraft abruptly veered left. The pilot applied right rudder, but reported it felt "hard," and the aircraft continued its lateral movement, exiting the left side of the runway. Brake application seemed ineffective. The aircraft came to a stop in a drainage ditch parallel to the runway, located 75 meters from the runway centerline at the edge of the prepared strip.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot license issued in April 2010 and had accumulated approximately 170 flight hours, of which 150 were on the DR400 type. In the three months preceding the event, he had flown 5.5 hours, all on the same type. The pilot stated that he had positioned the control stick to the left to counteract the crosswind but did not recall the pitch position. He noted that he had been taught to apply forward stick during ground operations.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as wind from 130° at 5 knots, with CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK). The crosswind component was consistent with the aircraft's limitations.
Aircraft and Damage
The aircraft, a Robin DR400-120, was heavily damaged as a result of the runway excursion and subsequent impact with the drainage ditch. The ditch, which complied with regulatory requirements for its position, had been involved in previous runway excursions at Rouen, leading to material damage.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that during the landing roll, the pilot did not experience difficulty maintaining the runway centerline. During power application, the combined effects of engine torque and crosswind may have induced a left yaw. It is possible that the pilot, following his training, applied forward stick, which could have contributed to a wheelbarrowing phenomenon—where the nosewheel becomes heavily loaded, reducing braking effectiveness and directional control. The pilot's reported sensations of stiff rudder pedals and ineffective brakes are consistent with wheelbarrowing. However, the investigation was unable to formally confirm the occurrence of wheelbarrowing. The drainage ditch's location at the edge of the prepared strip was identified as the cause of the damage sustained.