What happened
On August 1, 2019, a Robin R2120 (registration F-GUXU), operated by Aéroclub les Ailes Mosellanes, was performing a private navigation flight near Metz, France. The flight, which began at Chambley aerodrome, included a pilot and a passenger, both of whom held pilot licenses. During the approach to runway 22 at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine, the aircraft was stabilized in a landing configuration with full flaps at approximately 120 km/h.
Upon touchdown of the main gear, the pilot applied power to counteract ground effect. Immediately after the nose wheel made contact with the runway, the aircraft experienced a sudden and violent deviation to the left, turning at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the runway centerline. Despite the pilot's rapid and forceful application of right rudder, the aircraft veered off the paved surface. The aircraft subsequently struck a drainage ditch located 75 meters from the runway axis, causing the nose gear to collapse and the propeller to break, ultimately bringing the aircraft to a halt on its nose. There were no fatalities or injuries.
The investigation
The BEA examined cockpit video from a GoPro camera and pilot testimony to reconstruct the sequence of events. The video confirmed that the aircraft was slightly offset to the right during the final approach and noted a sharp leftward deviation and tire screeching immediately following the nose wheel touchdown.
Investigators also inspected the nose gear assembly. The pilot noted significant wear on the nose gear components and suggested that this wear might have caused the wheel to fail to lock in flight or to become stuck in a leftward position on the ground. The aircraft manufacturer reviewed photographs of the assembly and confirmed that the components showed unusual and advanced wear. However, the manufacturer stated that such wear could not have caused the wheel to lock in a non-centered position, as the design only allows for a centered lock in flight, and the maximum steering deflection is limited to 20 degrees.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a sudden 45-degree leftward deviation immediately after the nose wheel touched the runway.
- The nose gear assembly exhibited advanced and unusual wear.
- While the wear was significant, the investigation could not establish that it caused the nose wheel to lock in an off-center position.