What happened
On August 31, 2012, a Robin DR 400-160, registration F-GYKH, was performing a flight from Nogaro to Pau-Pyrénées. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. During the approach to runway 31, the pilot configured the aircraft for landing at a speed of 135 km/h. As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, the pilot encountered wind gusts.
The touchdown was firm, causing the aircraft to bounce. During the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft's trajectory deviated sharply to the right approximately 100 meters after touchdown. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the deviation using the rudder pedals, control could not be regained. The aircraft exited the paved surface and traveled about 15 meters into the grass. During this excursion, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to tilt forward onto its propeller before coming to a stop on its main wheels. The incident resulted in damage to the nose gear and propeller.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and found no malfunctions in the flight controls that would account for the loss of directional control. While the pilot noted that the aircraft's center of gravity was toward the rear, it remained within the manufacturer's specified limits. A passenger, who also served as the club's maintenance officer, noted turbulence during the final approach and observed slight weaving during the initial part of the landing roll.
Analysis of the tracks left on the runway and the adjacent shoulder indicated a magnetic heading of 020°, showing that the aircraft was experiencing a slight skid to the right prior to the excursion.