What happened
On September 26, 2009, a Robin DR 40 and 180, registration F-GSBD, was conducting a training flight at the Peyresourde altiport in France. The flight was part of a mountain flying awareness program organized by a local flying club. The aircraft, carrying a pilot, an instructor, and two private pilots, had previously flown from Toulouse-Lasbordes to Bagnères-de-Luchon before proceeding to the high-altitude altiport.
During the final approach at the 5,190-foot altitude airstrip, the aircraft's flight path and speed appeared appropriate for a touchdown point located approximately 40 meters before the start of the paved runway. However, during the flare, the occupants felt the aircraft sink slightly without the stall warning activating. The aircraft struck the ground with significant force, accompanied by a loud thud. During the landing roll, the aircraft tilted to the right and veered toward the right edge of the runway before coming to a stop. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft impacted the ground roughly 40 centimeters before the paved surface began.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the crew's preparation and the circumstances surrounding the pilot's recent experience. It was noted that the pilot in the left seat had informed the instructor of a different aircraft that he had not flown for a year and had no experience with high-altitude airfields. However, this information was not communicated to the instructor of the F-GSBD. The instructor did not verify the pilot's recent experience through club records or consult with the other instructor involved in the day's training activities.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient communication between the pilot and the instructor regarding the pilot's lack of recent flight experience and lack of familiarity with high-altitude operations.
- The pilot likely failed to sufficiently correct a flight parameter or omitted a specific action required for landing at a high-altitude airfield.
- The instructor, observing a stable approach and trajectory until the short final, was likely less attentive to the pilot's actions during the flare and responded too late to the aircraft's sink rate.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the right landing gear, right wing, and wing spar.