What happened
On May 5, 2002, at 17:40, a Cessna 150 L, registration F-BUBF, was performing a local flight at the Saint-Crespin-et-Carlucet airfield. The pilot, who had recently completed training at this specific aerodrome, had previously completed a solo flight earlier that day. During the second flight, which included a passenger, the pilot attempted to land on runway 24, an unpaved strip.
During the final approach, the pilot experienced turbulence caused by the terrain upstream of the runway threshold, which drifted the aircraft to the right of the runway centerline. Realizing the aircraft was deviating and unable to correct the path, the pilot initiated a go-around without retracting the flaps. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a left-hand stall and struck the ground in a field approximately 100 meters to the right of the runway. The impact resulted in two injuries (the pilot and one passenger) and caused heavy damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight parameters and the aircraft's configuration during the aborted landing. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the aircraft had pivoted around the left wingtip. Evidence from the propeller showed one blade was embedded in the ground, and the throttle was found in the reduced position.
Analysis of the flight data revealed that the pilot approached the runway at a speed of 75 knots with the flaps extended to 40 degrees. This significantly exceeded the recommended landing configuration speed of 60 knots specified in the flight manual. The investigation also considered the meteorological conditions, which included winds from 360 degrees at 10 to 15 knots and broken cloud layers between 1,800 and 3,000 feet.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the insufficient consideration of landing conditions, specifically regarding airspeed and configuration.
- The pilot conducted the approach at a speed 15 knots higher than the recommended manual speed.
- The decision to execute a go-around without retracting the flaps contributed to the aerodynamic instability that led to the stall.