What happened
On June 7, 2006, a Robin DR 400 - 140 B, registered F-HAOE, was performing a local flight at Montendre aerodrome. The aircraft was operated by a flying club and carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Earlier that day, the pilot had flown from Etampes to Montendre. During the afternoon, the pilot departed Montendre for a local flight, accompanied by another pilot and two passengers. While flying over the Blaye region, the pilot activated the GPS to locate the Montendre aerodeome, which proved difficult to identify due to the surrounding wooded area.
The pilot entered the airfield circuit on a left-hand downwind leg. During the final approach, the pilot estimated a crosswind from the right at approximately 15 knots, including gusts. The aircraft landed on the paved area located before the offset runway threshold. While the aircraft initially maintained the runway centerline for the first 150 meters, the pilot noted that applying brakes caused the aircraft to veer to the right. After a delayed reaction, the aircraft drifted off the runway and onto the grass. As the pilot applied increasing braking pressure, the rightward deviation continued until the aircraft came to a stop in a ditch.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the landing roll and the environmental factors involved. Investigators examined the pilot's experience, noting that while he frequently flew this aircraft type, he was accustomed to a version equipped with a handbrake rather than toe brakes. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight planning and situational awareness, noting that this was his first landing at Montendre. The investigation established that the pilot had previously experienced difficulties controlling the ground trajectory of this specific aircraft model.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the insufficient mastery of toe braking techniques.
- The pilot failed to adequately analyze the flight conditions, likely underestimating the resources required for the flight.
- The pilot's ability to manage the landing was potentially compromised by the preceding difficulties in navigating back to the aerodrome.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, the left main and nose landing gear, and a portion of the left wing.