2011 Robin DR400-120 accident at Rouen Vallée de Seine (F-BTZI)

Overview and Aircraft Details On 31 October 2011 at 12:27 local time, a Robin DR400-120 with registration F-BTZI, operated by a club, was involved in an accident at the Rouen Vallée de Seine aerodrome in France. The aircraft sustained heavy damage. ## Circumstances The pilot departed from runway 22 for a local flight of approximately 30 minutes. During the final approach, the pilot extended the flaps fully and increased the approach speed by 10 km/h due to a reported wind of 15 kt in gusts from 160°. After reducing power over the runway threshold, the aircraft touched down on the main gear and bounced approximately one meter. The pilot maintained a nose-up attitude and did not adjust the engine power. Upon the second touchdown, the aircraft was oriented to the left of the runway. The pilot applied the right rudder without braking but was unable to steer the aircraft, which subsequently veered off the runway. The pilot then applied the brakes but could not regain directional control. The aircraft crossed taxiway T2 and came to rest in a ditch. ## Investigation Findings Ground traces indicated that the aircraft left the runway approximately 600 meters from the threshold and traveled more than 100 meters off the runway. The ditch was located 75 meters from the runway centerline, outside the prepared runway strip, and was compliant with regulatory requirements. The pilot had approximately 70 hours of flight experience, including 6 hours on type and 2.5 hours in the preceding month. The pilot had been endorsed on the DR400 two days prior to the accident and had no prior experience with an aircraft equipped with hand brakes. ## Conclusion The accident was attributed to an inappropriate landing technique and a lack of familiarity with the aircraft, combined with limited aeronautical experience, which led to inadequate management of the ground trajectory. The presence of the ditch at the edge of the prepared strip was the cause of the observed damage.