What happened
On June 10, 2012, a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-HCDA, departed Bar-le-Duc for Doncourt-lès-Conflans with one passenger on board. While integrating into the airfield traffic pattern for runway 08, the pilot observed a microlight performing a touch-and-go maneuver on a left-hand circuit.
As the aircraft approached the runway threshold at an estimated altitude of 10 meters, the pilot turned his attention away from the flight path to scan for the microlight on the left and to check for parachutists on the right. This scanning maneuver caused the aircraft to deviate to the right of the runway centerline. The passenger noticed the deviation and informed the pilot that the aircraft was off-course, though the pilot was initially unable to determine his exact position relative to the runway.
Attempting to correct the course, the pilot turned left toward the runway. During the flare, the passenger repeatedly alerted the pilot to a red pole located near the airfield. The pilot initiated a go-around, but during the maneuver, the left wing of the Robin DR 400-120 struck a windsock support mast located approximately 120 meters from the runway axis. The aircraft subsequently landed approximately 140 meters from the runway centerline, resulting in heavy damage to the left wing.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's flight path deviation and the sequence of events leading to the collision with the obstacle. Investigators examined the pilot's scanning techniques during the final approach and the communication between the pilot and the passenger. The investigation also reviewed the airfield layout, specifically the location of the windsock mast and the presence of parachutists in the area.