History of the Flight
On 9 August 2024, a Robin DR400-180 “Regent”, registered F-GYKM, was operated by Aéroclub de Bordeaux on an instructional flight. The aircraft, with a student-pilot and an instructor on board, departed Bordeaux - Léognan - Saucats aerodrome at approximately 14:45 for a triangular cross-country flight. The first leg to Bagnères-de-Luchon aerodrome was uneventful. After a landing there, the student-pilot took off at about 16:50 and headed to Aire-sur-l’Adour aerodrome.
Upon arrival, the aircraft overflew the aerodrome and joined the circuit for runway 30. During the downwind leg, the instructor selected the main fuel tank. The student-pilot performed a standard circuit and landing, followed by a go-around. During the initial climb, at a height between 100 and 150 feet, the student-pilot observed illumination of the fuel pressure and low fuel level warning lights and informed the instructor. Less than two seconds later, the engine stopped delivering power. The student-pilot allowed the stick to move forward, and the instructor immediately took control. He managed to land in a field on the extended runway axis, avoiding haystacks. The aircraft bounced on touchdown. The instructor kept the aircraft airborne to clear a road with traffic, then touched down again in a second field. Seeing haystacks ahead, he performed a ground loop and stopped the aircraft. The landing gear ruptured. Both occupants transmitted a message on the frequency, secured the aircraft, and evacuated.
Aircraft Information
The Robin DR400-180 was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A1P engine. It had undergone a 1,000-hour inspection shortly before the event. The fuel system included three tanks: a main tank (110 L) and two wing root tanks (40 L each). A selector valve on the instrument panel tunnel allowed selection among the three tanks or closure of the fuel system. The fuel pressure warning light illuminates when pressure is below a defined limit, and the low fuel level warning light illuminates when the selected tank’s fuel level is low or when the selector is in the OFF or an intermediate position.
Post-Accident Examination
A fuel sample of 2.25 L was taken from the main tank at the site. Later, approximately 30 L of fuel was drained from the main tank. The left wing tank was full, and the right wing tank was one-third full. The carburettor bowl contained very little fuel (about 20 cm³) compared to the normal capacity of about 160 cm³. Examination of the tanks, piping, electric pump, and engine systems revealed no abnormalities. The electric pump and fuel selector valve functioned normally in tests. Engine tests on 3 September 2024 showed nominal operation. The fuel selector valve's cam length measurements were within tolerances. A leakage test showed that after setting the selector to OFF, the engine continued running for approximately 1 minute 30 seconds at 1,500 rpm.
Pilot Statements
The instructor, aged 74, held a PPL(A) and FI(A) rating with over 20,000 flight hours, 1,137 on DR400s. He stated that all three tanks were refueled before the flight. The first leg and the climb of the second leg used the main tank; the en-route phase used the right tank. On arriving at Aire-sur-l’Adour, he selected the main tank for the circuit and touch-and-go because it contained more fuel and turbulence was forecast. He observed simultaneous illumination of the low pressure and low fuel level warning lights followed by engine power loss. He recalled a similar incident in February 2024 with the same student-pilot, where the warnings illuminated without power loss, and he reported it to the chief-pilot.
The student-pilot, aged 18, had 34 flight hours. He confirmed the tank selections and noted that during the go-around, the engine parameters were normal. He described the climb attitude as slightly steeper than usual.