What happened
On January 3, 2001, at 09:25, a Robin DR 400 - 120, registration F-GUXC, was participating in a training flight at the Toussus-le-Noble aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by a flying club, was taxiing on runway 25L behind a Beech 90 bi-turboprop.
As the aircraft entered the runway, it came to a halt approximately fifty meters behind the Beech 90, positioned at a forty-five-degree angle to the runway centerline. While the aircraft was waiting for the Beech 90 to depart, the preceding aircraft applied power while holding brakes. The resulting propeller blast from the Beech 90 caused the Robin DR 400 - 120 to perform a nose-over (cheval de bois).
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the aircraft's sudden movement on the runway. Investigators examined the positioning of the aircraft and the interaction between the two aircraft during the takeoff sequence. The investigation established that the movement was triggered by the aerodynamic effects of the preceding aircraft's engines.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the insufficient consideration of the propeller blast effect from the preceding aircraft.
- The aircraft sustained slight damage to the right wing tip (saumon) and the propeller.