What happened
On April 21, 2007, at 16:55, a Robin DR 400-140 B, registered F-GGHJ, was performing a joyride flight from Chavenay Aerodrome. During the approach to runway 23, the pilot maintained an indicated airspeed between 120 and 130 km/h with two flaps extended. The aircraft touched down at the intersection of runways 05-23 and 10-28 at a speed of approximately 100 km/h.
Believing the aircraft could stop before the end of the runway, the pilot continued the landing roll. However, the passenger in the right seat advised the pilot to initiate a go-around. The pilot followed this advice and applied power to climb. The aircraft reached the end of the runway approximately two meters before the perimeter fence. The nose gear struck the fence, and a gate post subsequently severed the right wing. The aircraft then pitched forward and crashed into a field roughly fifty meters beyond the runway threshold. There were no fatalities among the three occupants, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight circumstances and the aircraft's configuration. The investigation established that the aircraft was in landing configuration with flaps set at two notches during the event. The available runway length at the intersection was approximately 400 meters. According to the flight manual for the Robin DR 400-140 B, the recommended final approach speed is 115 km/h, and the required landing distance at maximum weight is approximately 550 meters, with a 300-meter rollout on dry, unpaved surfaces.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inappropriate decision to initiate a go-around at a point where the aircraft had insufficient runway remaining to safely climb.
- The pilot's initial approach speed (120-130 km/h) exceeded the recommended 115 km/h.
- The decision to abort the landing was made after the aircraft had already traveled a significant distance down the runway, leaving only a negligible margin before the perimeter fence.