What happened
On June 26, 2011, a Robin DR400-140B, registration F-GXGL, departed from Lognes aerodrome bound for Le Touquet. During the cruise phase, north of Plessis Belleville, the pilot observed intensifying cloud cover and decided to divert to Coulommiers aerodrome.
During the landing on runway 09C, the aircraft struck the runway with significant force and bounced. This impact caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in the aircraft coming to rest on its nose. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, though no injuries were reported among the pilot and three passengers.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight preparation and the aircraft's configuration. The pilot had not closely reviewed the TAF and METAR reports for aerodromes along the route, focusing instead on the destination and the TEMSI chart, which did not indicate clouds in the area where the diversion occurred.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating near its maximum weight with an aft center of gravity. The pilot, who had approximately 140 total flight hours, noted that he was not accustomed to landing under these specific weight and balance conditions. Additionally, the presence of another aircraft on the base leg likely pressured the pilot to execute a short landing to clear the runway quickly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to take corrective action during the flare and following the initial bounce.
- The pilot's limited experience with the aircraft at maximum weight and an aft center of gravity contributed to an insufficient control of the flare maneuver.
- Operating with an aft center of gravity increased the aircraft's maneuverability and reduced the control forces required on the elevator, increasing the risk of over-pitching or reaching a stall angle during the flare.