What happened
On January 14, 2006, a Yakovlev Yak-52, registration RA-1931K, was conducting a flight from Amboise to the private Morand aerodrome. The flight, which included a passenger, was intended as an introductory visit to the airfield rather than a landing. Accompanying the aircraft was a second Yak-5-2.
While established on the right downwind for runway 17, the pilot configured the aircraft by extending the landing gear and setting the first notch of flaps. During the final approach, the pilot initiated a go-around. During this maneuver, the pilot observed a flash of light accompanied by a sharp cracking sound. The pilot then flew over the airfield to request that the accompanying pilot inspect the landing gear and wings for damage. Finding no obvious issues, the pilot returned to Amboise and landed safely.
Upon ground inspection, the pilot discovered a 20-centimeter notch on the leading edge of the left wing near the pitot tube, along with impact marks on the propeller.
The investigation
The investigation established that during the go-around, the propeller struck a nine-meter-high medium-voltage power line located approximately 60 meters from the runway threshold. The impact caused an electrical arc, and the cable subsequently slid along the left wing, causing the damage to the leading edge.
Investigators found that although the airfield owner had previously informed the pilot of a power line near the runway threshold, the pilot failed to detect it during the approach. Furthermore, while the airfield's official establishment decree from 2002 required a displaced threshold at 640 meters from the runway 17 threshold to avoid the line, the associated markings were not visible on the day of the incident. The pilot also stated he was unaware of the existence of this displaced threshold.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the late decision to initiate a go-around.
- The pilot's flight preparation was insufficient, as the presence of the obstacle was not effectively managed during the approach.
- The lack of visible runway markings contributed to the pilot's failure to recognize the hazard area.