What happened
On Saturday, September 22, 2001, at 14:40, a Robin DR 400-180, registered F-GLKG, was performing a pleasure flight from the Saint-Cyr-l’École aerodrome. The aircraft was operated by a local flying club and carried a pilot and two passengers.
During the takeoff roll on runway 30, immediately after the aircraft rotated, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of control. The aircraft veered sharply to the left and struck the ground, resulting in a ground loop. The impact caused heavy damage to the airframe and initiated a small fire, which was successfully extinguished by club members using portable fire extinguishers.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the critical takeoff phase. The pilot reported that the aircraft began banking to the left and attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder. However, the pilot found that the right rudder pedal was physically blocked and could not be depressed. In an attempt to regain control, the pilot moved the control column to the right, but the aircraft failed to respond to the input. Consequently, the pilot reduced engine power in an attempt to perform an emergency landing.
Investigators examined the positioning of the occupants within the cockpit. It was noted that the passenger seated in the front right seat was of large build. This passenger reported that the control column made contact with his thigh. The passenger also recalled extending his legs forward, which placed his feet in a position underneath the rudder pedals.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the inappropriate positioning of the front right passenger, which led to the physical blockage of the flight controls.
- The passenger's leg placement interfered with the movement of the control column and the rudder pedals.
- While the pilot had briefed the passengers not to touch any cockpit controls, the briefing did not include specific instructions regarding seating position or limb placement to ensure control unobstructed movement.