What happened
On Friday, August 28, 1998, at 16:30, a Jodel D140 E (registration F-BOPB) was performing a local flight departing from a private altisurface near Salles-d'Argelès. The pilot was on final approach, positioned slightly to the left of the runway centerline. During the approach, the pilot noticed the aircraft was climbing unexpectedly. In response to this unexpected ascent, the pilot initiated a missed approach and executed a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a nine-meter-tall tree located at the edge of the runway strip, causing the left wing to be torn from the airframe. The accident resulted in two injuries and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics and the physical characteristics of the altisurface. The airstrip is a grass strip measuring 320 meters in length and 25 meters in width, oriented at 330°. The terrain features a significant average gradient of 17%, with the runway threshold at 3,168 feet and the far end at 3,654 feet. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's performance at an average altitude of 6,000 feet. Under approach configuration and speed, at full throttle (2,400 RPM), the aircraft maintained an upward climb gradient of approximately 7%.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to perform a missed approach on an altisurface with a steep upward gradient.
- The 7% climb gradient achieved by the aircraft at full power was insufficient to overcome the 17% slope of the runway terrain during a go-around.
- The aircraft's flight path led it into a tree bordering the runway strip during the turn.