Incident Overview
On March 11, 2017, a Robin DR400-140B with registration F-GAEX experienced a runway overrun while landing at Tarbes Laloubère aerodrome in France. The aircraft was operated by a local flying club for a general aviation flight. Three individuals were on board: the pilot and two passengers. Following the incident, one passenger sustained minor injuries, and the airframe suffered significant damage.
Flight Progression
The pilot reported that wind conditions were calm during pre-flight preparation and takeoff. Upon return to the aerodrome, the pilot approached runway 08L, an unpaved surface. The wind sock indicated low wind speeds, prompting the pilot to continue the approach. However, during the short final phase, severe turbulence accompanied by gusts disrupted the aircraft's trajectory. After touchdown, the pilot applied brakes, but the aircraft slid and came to a stop beyond the runway end. The pilot noted being surprised by the intensity of the wind variations and decided against a go-around due to insufficient distance from the runway threshold.
Environmental and Operational Context
Tarbes Laloubère features two grass runways; the northern runway for airplanes is 825 meters long, though a displaced threshold limits available landing distance to 680 meters. Météo France estimated that at the time of the accident, winds were from 280 degrees at 15–20 knots with gusts up to 25–30 knots near the ground. A disturbance was approaching from the west, creating turbulence between the surface and 4,000 feet altitude. The pilot, a 77-year-old private license holder since 1982 with 465 total flight hours, did not independently verify these conditions beyond the wind sock observation.
Investigation Conclusion
The BEA investigation concluded that the accident resulted from insufficient consideration of meteorological conditions, leading to a landing in strong tailwind conditions.