What happened
On March 23, 2011, a Jodel D112, registration F-HDAM, was performing circuit patterns at the Aspres sur Buech airfield. The aircraft, which had been recently purchased by the local flying club, was operating on unpaved runways. Witnesses noted that the pilot's first three takeoffs and landings were notably long.
During a fourth approach on runway 36, the pilot determined that the remaining runway length was insufficient for a safe landing. In an attempt to avoid overshooting, the pilot initiated a late go-around and pitched the aircraft up to clear vegetation located at the end of the runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall and collided with trees approximately 100 meters beyond the runway threshold. The accident resulted in one injury and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's experience, the environmental conditions, and the aircraft's performance. At the time of the accident, the pilot had very limited experience with this specific aircraft type, having flown it for less than two hours, including only 25 minutes of solo flight. The pilot was a member of the local club and had participated in a ferry flight of the aircraft just two days prior.
Investigators examined the wind conditions and the airfield topography. The wind was recorded as a tailwind with gusts of 10 knots. The investigation also considered the physical characteristics of the airfield, noting that runway 36 features an upward slope in its final third and is situated on a plateau. Furthermore, the investigation looked at the aircraft's design, specifically its low-wing configuration and conventional landing gear, which can create significant ground effect.
Findings
- The pilot's insufficient experience with the Jodel D112 likely led to an overestimation of their ability to manage the aircraft solo.
- The approach was unstable, characterized by a long touchdown point and an unrecognized tailwind component.
- The pilot's decision to execute a late go-around, combined with the aircraft's aerodynamic behavior, led to a stall.
- Environmental factors, including the tailwind, gusts, and the rising slope of the runway, contributed to the unstable approach.