What happened
On Wednesday, June 17, 1998, at 18:10, a SOCATA TB 10, registration F-GUAB, was completing a flight from Toulouse Lasbordes to Bagnère-de-Luchon. During the landing phase on runway 01, which is an unpaved surface, the aircraft experienced a high-speed initial touchdown in the second half of the runway. The pilot performed a three-point landing approximately 200 meters before the end of the runway. Following the touchdown, the aircraft exited the runway, crossed a 20-centimeter embankment, and came to a stop at low speed in a nearby stream.
There were 4 persons on board (the pilot and three passengers) and no fatalities were reported. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, propeller cone, and engine mount.
The investigation
Investigators examined the runway conditions and the aircraft's flight path. The runway at Bagnère-de-Luchon had an available landing distance of 600 meters and a downward slope of approximately 0.5%. Evidence of braking was identified over a distance of 185 meters on the runway and an additional 6t5 meters beyond the runway threshold. The investigation also considered the pilot's experience, noting that this was the pilot's first landing at this specific aerodrome, although the front passenger was familiar with the location. The estimated mass of the aircraft at the time of landing was near its maximum allowable limit.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was a long and fast landing.
- The aircraft's approach may have been impacted by the surrounding mountainous terrain and high obstacles near the runway entrance, which could have interfered with the pilot's ability to accurately judge the glide path.
- The aircraft was operating at a high weight, near its maximum authorized mass.