Flight History
On 21 October 2009, a Piper PA-46-500TP, registered N60910, departed from Odense, Denmark at 13:29 UTC for an IFR flight to Cahors aerodrome in France. The pilot planned to meet friends. The aircraft had full fuel tanks and cruised at flight level 280. During the instrument descent toward Cahors, the pilot was in contact with Rodez Approach Control. He stated that he switched to the Cahors self-information frequency and received no response. He proceeded directly to final approach for runway 13.
At 17:18 UTC, on final approach, the pilot did not see a white cross marking indicating runway closure. When the wheels touched down, he observed straw bales and metal barriers across the runway. He increased power to clear them, then reduced power to land beyond. He then saw more straw bales but could not avoid colliding with additional metal barriers. The aircraft came to a stop on the unpaved portion of the runway. The pilot taxied to the parking area. About 42 liters of fuel remained.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-46-500TP (serial number 4697341) with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine. It was equipped for IFR flight and had a GPS. Total airframe time was 173 hours. Fuel capacity was 643 liters.
The 49-year-old male pilot held a Belgian PPL(A) obtained in 2006, with SEP land and IFR qualifications. His total flight experience was 801 hours, with 390 hours on type. He had flown 19 hours in the previous three months and 16 hours in the previous 30 days. The pilot's medical certificate required corrective lenses.
Weather and Communications
At the time of landing, wind was from 130° at 2 to 10 knots, visibility over 10 km, with scattered stratus at 500 feet and stratocumulus at 2,000 feet. Temperature was 10–11°C, QNH 1001 hPa. These conditions met IFR approach minima. Sunset was at 17:00; aeronautical night began at 17:30, so the landing occurred before night.
The pilot had been provided with a flight dossier containing NOTAMs for Cahors. Three NOTAMs had been issued, closing the aerodrome from 20 to 27 October 2009. The pilot did not read the NOTAM. The air traffic control organizations did not remind him of the closure.
Accident and Damage
The aircraft struck metal barriers and straw bales placed for a non-aviation event. Damage included wings, weather radar, lower fuselage, and propeller. Some metal barriers were deformed. There were no injuries to the pilot or other persons. The pilot reported the event to Rodez Control by telephone at 17:36 UTC.
The aerodrome manager had requested the NOTAMs. The control tower at Cahors was closed; the aerodrome was not manned during the incident.