What happened
On February 10, 2011, at 17:30 local time, a Robin DR 400-180, registration F-GXGA, departed from the Toulouse-Lasbordes aerodrome for a flight to Alès. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. Shortly after rotation, at an estimated altitude of five to ten meters, the aircraft experienced a severe right bank. Air traffic controllers in the tower observed the aircraft's belly, confirming a significant bank angle.
The pilot attempted to manage the movement but reported that the control stick was blocked, preventing any corrective aileron input. The stall warning did not activate. The pilot performed an emergency landing on a paved area approximately 400 meters from the runway threshold. Despite heavy braking, the aircraft continued to travel 150 meters, crossed the Hers river, and came to rest on the opposite bank, partially submerged.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's control systems and the cockpit environment. While the pilot had increased the rotation speed by five knots to account for a weight of 970 kg, the pre-flight control checks had not revealed any anomalies. The aircraft was noted to be slightly forward-centered at takeoff.
Examination of the wreckage showed no mechanical malfunction in the control linkages that could explain the reported blockage of the aileron controls. The aileron tabs were set to the first position, and the elevator trim was in the takeoff range. Investigators were unable to determine the exact position of luggage or personal items in the cabin at the time of the accident, as they had been removed prior to the arrival of the investigators.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of roll control immediately following rotation.
- The cause of the control stick blockage could not be definitively determined, though no mechanical failure in the control chains was found.
- It is possible that the front passenger's seat, which had only been partially moved forward, slid backward during rotation, causing the passenger to instinctively grab the control stick.
- Alternatively, an object in the cabin may have obstructed the movement of the control column.
- Time pressure to arrive at the destination before nightfall likely led to a rushed boarding process, as the pilot was attempting to complete flight logs while passengers were loading the aircraft.