What happened
On June 10, 2015, a Diamond DA40, registration F-GUVK, was operating a general aviation flight originating from Salon Eyguières. After an initial landing at Uzes, the pilot decided to proceed to the La Grand’Combe aerodrome.
Upon arrival, the pilot performed an initial reconnaissance for runway 17 but was forced to execute a go-around because the aircraft could not sufficiently decelerate. Following a second reconnaissance to assess wind conditions, the pilot attempted an approach for runway 35. During this second approach, the aircraft maintained an approach speed of 70 knots, exceeding the recommended 63 knots. The pilot continued the descent despite the high speed and the aircraft's flight path deviating above the glide path after the second flap setting was applied.
The aircraft touched down late on the unpaved runway. After hitting a bump, the aircraft bounced and tilted, and despite the pilot's attempt to level the wings and regain control, the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining runway length. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway longitudinally and came to rest in the terrain below. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's performance capabilities, and the airfield characteristics. The pilot had 166 total flight hours, with only 10 hours on the Diamond DA40 type and only 3 hours of flight time in the three months preceding the accident. The pilot noted difficulties managing the aircraft, describing it as very "sharp."
Investigators analyzed the runway conditions at La Grand’Combe, which features an unpaved 780-meter runway. The investigation noted that the pilot had calculated a landing distance of 700 meters, leaving very little margin given the aircraft's performance requirements on unpaved surfaces. Meteorological data showed a wind from 175° at 5 knots, though the pilot had experienced a 15-knot north component during the second reconnaissance.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to continue the landing following an unstabilized approach and a long touchdown.
- The unstabilized approach was driven by the pilot's inaccurate estimation of wind conditions, which led to an inappropriate runway selection, and a lack of proficiency with the aircraft type.
- The choice of a complex airfield, where the aircraft's performance margins were extremely narrow, contributed to the accident.