What happened
On August 4, 2013, an instructor and a student pilot were conducting a training flight departing from Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The flight included a navigation segment near Figeac, followed by a series of engine-out landing exercises. During the final exercise, which was performed on a left-hand downwind leg for runway 31, the Jodel D 113, registered F-PZBP, struck a perimeter fence located approximately 140 meters before the runway threshold. The impact caused damage to the left wing after striking a concrete post. Following the collision, the instructor regained control of the aircraft and completed the landing on the runway without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the approach characteristics and the specific instructions given during the training session. The airfield features a displaced threshold on runway 31, and a perimeter fence consisting of concrete posts and wire mesh separates the airfield from a nearby public road. The investigation established that the student pilot was attempting to execute a short landing as part of a simulated forced landing exercise.
During the final approach, the student pilot noted being low on the glidepath but was distracted by a nearby grove of trees, which prevented him from noticing the fence. The instructor noted that the aircraft was flying at approximately 110 km/h on a shallow descent. Although the instructor attempted to instruct the student to apply full power to go around, the student did not hear the command. The instructor subsequently took control but was unable to avoid the obstacle.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the instruction provided by the instructor to perform a landing before the displaced threshold.
- The student pilot selected a touchdown point that did not allow for a sufficient safety margin relative to the obstacles.
- Neither the crew nor the student effectively corrected the flight path or aborted the approach despite recognizing a shallow descent.
- The practice of using the area before the displaced threshold for training purposes constitutes negative training.