What happened
On the evening of June 12, 2004, a Piper PA 18-150 Super Cub, registration F-GNMD, was engaged in a private flight from Toulouse-Lasbordes toward Sainte-Geneviève-sur-Argence. After an intermediate stop at Gaillac to reposition the aircraft, the pilot proceeded to a private airfield located at Le Faula in Graissac.
Prior to the flight, the pilot had contacted the owner of the Graissac airfield, who advised against landing that day because the runway grass had not been mown. The pilot proceeded with the plan, believing the aircraft could safely land on tall grass. Upon arriving at the airfield, the pilot performed two reconnaissance passes. During these passes, the pilot estimated the wind to be approximately 8 knots from the northwest but failed to accurately assess the height of the vegetation.
Approaching runway 13, the pilot executed the landing. As the aircraft rolled approximately 40 meters into the tall grass, it entered a wingover maneuver and subsequently flipped onto its back. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, though it remained on its wheels following the accident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the site conditions and the pilot's prior communications with the airfield owner. Post-accident measurements revealed that the grass on the runway varied in height between 80 centimeters and one meter. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting a highly experienced pilot with approximately 3,600 flight hours, including mountain qualifications, though the pilot had not flown this specific type within the previous three months.