What happened
On April 8, 2011, a Diamond DA42, registration F-HDMM, was conducting a flight training mission from Agen La Garenne to Pamiers Les Pujols. The flight was being conducted under IFR conditions. After an initial NDB approach to runway 09, the crew performed a touch-and-go maneuver on runway 27, intended to be followed by a go-around and a return to Agen.
During the final approach to runway 27, the aircraft encountered a wind gust from 320 degrees at six knots, which caused the aircraft to drift left. The student pilot attempted to correct the trajectory but noted the aircraft was floating in the ground effect. The student then initiated a go-around, increasing power and establishing a slightly positive pitch. However, the aircraft continued to descend. In a reflexive action, the student pilot commanded the landing gear to be retracted at a very low altitude without adjusting the flaps.
As the aircraft continued to sink, the instructor attempted to intervene by moving the gear lever back to the DOWN position. However, because the gear was not yet locked, the gear retracted further, causing the propellers to strike the ground. The aircraft slid approximately 100 meters before coming to a stop perpendicular to the runway axis, to the right of the centerline. There were no fatalities or injuries, though the propellers, fuselage, and steps sustained damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight crew's actions and the aircraft configuration during the descent. Investigators found that the flaps were extended at 40 degrees at the time of the impact. The student pilot, who had accumulated 120 total flight hours (57 on type) within the previous three months, stated he retracted the gear in an attempt to reduce drag.
While the student was familiar with the correct go-around procedure—which involves maintaining a positive pitch, increasing power, and retracting flaps and gear in specific increments—he admitted to a procedural error. He had confused the go-around sequence with the standard takeoff procedure, which does not require any movement of the flap lever.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the student pilot's confusion between takeoff and go-around procedures.
- The gear was retracted at an altitude too low to allow the instructor to prevent the gear from collapsing.
- The student's attempt to reduce drag by retracting the gear led to the gear not being locked, resulting in the propellers striking the runway.