What happened
On April 2, 2000, at approximately 18:00, a Jodel D 112 amateur-built aircraft, registered F-PCGK, was taxiing at Chavenay aerodrome following a one-hour local flight. While the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft toward the refueling station, a sudden gust of tailwind lifted the empennage. This resulted in a tail strike during the taxiing maneuver.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's movement during the turn toward the fuel pump. The pilot reported that they had positioned the control stick toward the belly of the aircraft. The pilot's intention was to align the aircraft with the tailwind, following the same orientation as two other conventional gear aircraft parked near the refueling station. The investigation also reviewed meteorological conditions, noting that while the ATIS at Chavenable reported a 10-knot wind, the actual conditions at the time of the incident involved winds between 13 and 18 knots from 130 degrees.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the insufficient compensation for the effects of the tailwind during the taxiing maneuver.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller as a result of the impact.