What happened
On August 3, 2006, a Reims Aviation F 150 L, registered F-BUBN, was performing a solo flight at Andernos aerodrome. The pilot, a student participating in a three-week training course, was nearing the completion of their flight training and was scheduled to take a flight test following one final dual-instruction flight and one more solo circuit.
During the second circuit of the flight, while attempting to land on the unpaved runway 31, the aircraft experienced a series of instabilities. The pilot attempted the landing, but the aircraft rose approximately two to three meters above the ground on two separate occasions. This resulted in a stall during the flare, causing the aircraft to strike the runway surface. The impact caused substantial damage to the engine mount and the nose gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the training progression of the student pilot and the flight sequence leading up to the accident. The student had recently obtained their BIA and had completed all training under the supervision of the same instructor. Prior to the accident, the student had completed four solo flights and two dual-instruction flights, specifically focusing on maneuvers such as engine-idle landings, optimal climb takeoffs, and stall recovery.
Investigators noted that while the student had accumulated 18 total flight hours, they had not performed a standard landing under dual instruction during this specific period of training. The meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were characterized by visibility exceeding 10 km and winds ranging from 12 to 21 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient supervision of the student's progression through a series of solo flights.
- The student pilot's recent flight experience consisted of specialized maneuvers rather than standard landing procedures under dual instruction.
- The aircraft's flight path during the landing phase involved repeated increases in altitude (ballooning) before the final stall.