History of the Flight
On 13 June 2019, around 17:55 local time, a Robin DR400-160 registered F-HGCJ operated by the Les Ailes Joviniennes aero club was conducting a cross-country flight with a pilot and one passenger. The flight departed from Joigny aerodrome at 17:00, with planned touch-and-go stops at Pont-sur-Yonne and Nangis Les Loges. After the touch-and-go at Nangis, the pilot decided to add a final touch-and-go at Fontenay-Trésigny before returning to Joigny.
During the landing on paved runway 12, the aircraft veered off the runway to the right and onto the adjacent grass runway. The pilot applied full power. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, he made a steep nose-up input. The aircraft rose, crossed the road adjoining the end of the runways, and struck a hedge of bushes approximately three metres high several metres further on. The aircraft came to a stop after pivoting 120° to the left. The pilot cut off the magnetos and electric contacts, pulled the mixture lever, and set the fuel selector to OFF. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft.
Additional Information
Aerodrome Information
Fontenay-Trésigny aerodrome has two adjacent parallel runways: one paved (runway 12/30) and one unpaved. The declared Take-off Distances Available (TODA) for runways 12 are 581 m (paved) and 620 m (unpaved), shorter than the runway lengths of 700 m and 720 m respectively, due to standards concerning the adjacent road. The paved runway is equipped with lighting; the unpaved runway is marked by white cones. Neither marking system was damaged during the veer-off.
Pilot Information
The 56-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence issued in 2011, with a SEP class rating and a valid class 2 medical certificate. He had logged 226 total flight hours, 103 hours as pilot-in-command. In the previous six months, he logged 3 hours and 20 minutes as pilot-in-command. The accident flight was his third flight of the year; the previous year he made five flights totalling 10 hours, 8.5 hours of which as pilot-in-command.
Meteorological Information
METAR reports from Melun (approximately 11 NM away) between 17:30 and 18:30 indicated CAVOK conditions, wind 180° at 12 kt, temperature 20°C, and QNH 1012 hPa.
Aircraft Information
The centre of gravity was within limits for the entire flight. Estimated weight at landing was 893 kg, below maximum take-off weight of 1,050 kg. The Flight Manual specified a demonstrated crosswind limit of 22 kt. The aircraft had a prior accident on 24 June 2018 at Île d’Yeu where it veered off the runway to the left, resulting in replacement of the wing and landing gear.
Examination of the nose gear revealed that the locking device damage was probably caused by failure of the landing gear strut during the accident. It could not be determined if the locking system was functional before this failure.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he felt on form and not tired. The decision to perform the touch-and-go at Fontenay-Trésigny was not discussed beforehand. He joined the circuit after checking the windsock and assessed wind from 180° at 10-15 kt. The approach was stabilised. Immediately after nose gear touchdown, the aircraft swerved right; he could not counter with pedals. After deviating onto the grass runway, he regained nose gear control with pedals. He decided to take off from the grass runway, positioned carburettor heating to cold, and encountered difficulty retracting flaps toward the take-off detent. He then applied full power. He recalled gradually pulling the stick aft, then pulling hard at the last moment. Engine operated normally up to impact. He believed he should have rejected the take-off.
Passenger Statement
The passenger felt a gust of wind at landing, estimated about five seconds between landing and go-around attempt, and observed the pilot's difficulty with flap positioning.
Instructor Statement
An instructor on final approach in a DR400 saw F-HGCJ swerve right toward the grass runway approximately halfway along the runway. He was surprised at the attempted take-off from the grass runway given the short remaining distance. He noted a strong crosswind from the right.
Aircraft Performance and Remaining Runway Length
The Flight Manual 'Take-off performance' table for prevailing conditions gives a ground run of 280 m and take-off distance over 50 ft of 480 m on grass. The 'Landing performance' table gives a landing run of 215 m at VSO with moderate braking. Assuming grass incursion halfway, the distance covered was about 360 m. Therefore, only 260 m of TODA remained for take-off, and passing through 50 ft at TODA was compromised if additional ground run exceeded 60 m. For landing, 360 m of LDA remained, giving 145 m margin before the 215 m needed to stop from near VSO.
Conclusions
On the return leg of a triangular cross-country flight, the pilot and passenger decided to detour to Fontenay-Trésigny for a touch-and-go on the paved runway. Upon nose gear contact, the aircraft swerved right, and the pilot could not counter the swerve. The aircraft entered the adjacent unpaved runway; the pilot regained control and initiated take-off. He encountered difficulty reconfiguring the aircraft before increasing power. The remaining runway distance did not allow reaching take-off speed, and the pilot anticipated rotation. The aircraft cleared the traffic-free road but not the bordering bushes.