Accident Overview
On 2 June 2013, at 13:59 UTC, a Robin DR400/140B (registration not specified in source) operated by Noordzee Vliegclub VZW executed a landing on runway 26 at Ostend-Bruges International Airport (EBOS) following a cross-country flight. The aircraft, carrying one pilot and three passengers, touched down and immediately veered to the right, departing the runway. It struck a runway edge light with the left main gear fairing, then collided with an airport direction sign panel with the right wing leading edge, causing separation of the outboard wing section. The aircraft continued about 100 metres before stopping in the grass. No injuries were reported.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed EBOS at 10:00 UTC for Midden-Zeeland airfield (EHMZ) in the Netherlands. The return leg from runway 27 at EHMZ began around 13:15 with a northerly wind, and was uneventful until landing at EBOS. The pilot performed a straight-in approach to runway 26 with landing flaps and an airspeed of 70 knots indicated (KIAS), above the recommended 62 KIAS from the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). The pilot stated that the higher speed was due to an MD-11 aircraft on final behind him.
After a seemingly normal touchdown on the main gear, the nose gear contacted the ground within one second. The aircraft then yawed sharply to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and briefly used the left brake, but reported no effect. A momentary power addition to generate prop wash over the rudder also failed to correct the deviation. The aircraft struck the runway edge light about six seconds after touchdown at 52 KIAS, and the direction sign panel at nine seconds at 45 KIAS. It came to a stop 19 seconds after touchdown.
Investigation Findings
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of Belgium examined the aircraft and found no pre-existing technical anomalies. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot Licence with 121:07 total flight hours, of which 39:48 were on the accident type. The recorded video from an onboard action camera showed the nose landing gear touched down almost immediately after the main gear.
The investigation concluded that the rightward veer likely resulted from the 'wheelbarrowing phenomenon,' where the nose gear bears excessive weight, reducing directional control. This condition occurred because the pilot did not apply adequate back pressure on the control stick during touchdown with full flaps and excessive airspeed. The crosswind (360°/10 knots) may have contributed via a weathervane effect, pushing the tail and turning the aircraft into the wind.
Pilot Statement and Context
The pilot reported a stable approach using the wing-low sideslip method. He noted that the passenger in the right seat kept feet clear of the rudder pedals. He avoided heavy braking based on his initial training. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits at take-off.
Meteorological and Airport Information
METAR at 13:50 UTC indicated wind from 360° at 10 knots, variable between 330° and 30°, visibility over 10 km, temperature 14°C, and QNH 1029 hPa. Runway 26 is 3200 m long and 45 m wide, with a landing distance available of 2785 m. The POH demonstrated crosswind capability is 22 knots.
Aircraft Damage
The right wing suffered extensive structural damage, with the outboard section torn off at the dihedral change. The left main gear fairing was destroyed, and the nose gear fairing was damaged on the left side. Airport infrastructure damage included a runway edge light and the direction sign panel 'Alpha'.