What happened
On Saturday, August 8, 1998, at 14:05, a Jodel D 112 aircraft, registered F-BMAB, was involved in a ground collision at the Bordeaux Léognan aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by a flying club, was being used for a flight instruction session with an instructor and a student on board.
The incident occurred during the commencement of a second training flight. The aircraft was parked facing a hangar. After starting the engine and signaling the intent to depart the parking area, the pilot applied power. As the aircraft began to move, the pilot applied right rudder to initiate a turn. However, the turn was not sufficiently tight to clear the obstacle. The instructor, noticing the trajectory, checked that the rudder pedal was fully depressed and that the throttle was at idle, subsequently instructing the pilot to apply the brakes. Despite these efforts, the aircraft's momentum caused it to continue forward, resulting in a low-speed impact with the hangar door.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the taxiing maneuvers and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Meteorological data indicated CAVOK conditions with a temperature of 35 °C, and winds from 080° at 5 to 10 knots. The pilot reported experiencing a tailwind at the start of the taxiing sequence.
Technical examination of the Jodel D 112 revealed no mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the aircraft was not equipped with a brake control for the right-side wheel. The impact resulted in damage to the propeller and the leading edge of the left wing, but no injuries were reported to the occupants.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was insufficient control of the aircraft during taxiing while operating with a tailwind.
- The aircraft's momentum, combined with an insufficiently curved turning radius, led to the impact with the hangar structure.