What happened
On July 16, 2013, an instructor and a student pilot were conducting a dual-control training flight at the Merville-Calonne aerodrome. The session focused on runway management exercises on the unpaved runway 04. During the third exercise of the flight, the aircraft landed approximately 40 meters before the runway threshold in a field characterized by tall grass, measuring between 30 and 40 cm in height.
Shortly after the wheels made contact with the ground, the Kitfox ultralight (identified as 01-FA) encountered a rut in the terrain. This impact caused the failure of the right main landing gear. The aircraft sustained heavy damage during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation established that the student pilot had been adjusting their landing points throughout the session to practice specific maneuvers. Following an initial landing in the middle of the runway and a second landing between the threshold and the midpoint, the student attempted to extend the downwind leg to land as close to the threshold as possible. The student reported that they believed the touchdown point was correct during the final approach, only realizing the aircraft would undershoot the runway at the last moment. The student chose not to execute a go-around due to a fear of failing the specific training exercise.
The instructor noted that they only became aware that the aircraft was going to land off the runway during the very short final approach. The instructor did not intervene or command a go-around, noting that the aircraft's 20-inch wheels were designed for landing on rough terrain, and the tall grass was not visible from the cockpit during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the instructor's decision to continue the exercise despite the aircraft being on a trajectory to land off the runway.
- The student's apprehension regarding the failure of the training exercise likely contributed to the decision to proceed with the landing despite the reduced engine power.