Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28 registered F-GIBX, was operated by a flying club. On Friday, 8 July 2011, at 16:08 local time, the pilot was returning from a navigation flight between Le Puy (43) and Pérouges Meximieux (01), an airfield familiar to him. The flight had lasted about two hours. The pilot integrated into the circuit and positioned for final approach to runway 35, an unpaved surface. He reported an airspeed of 65 knots and full flaps deployed.
Accident Sequence
A witness observed the aircraft was high on the approach path. The pilot landed approximately 280 meters beyond the displaced threshold of runway 35. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft executed a 180-degree turn while skidding, exited the runway, and struck the windsock mast with its left wing, resulting in substantial damage.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that upon landing, he initiated a go-around but then aborted it because he feared colliding with obstacles along the runway axis. He applied heavy braking and deliberately steered off the runway using right rudder input.
Meteorological and Aerodrome Conditions
The weather was reported as wind from the north/northeast at 0 to 5 knots, CAVOK, temperature 24 °C, and QNH 1014 hPa. The aerodrome had no AFIS service; radio communications were conducted via self-announce on frequency 123.5 MHz. The usable landing distance on runway 35 was 570 meters. After touching down at the reported point, the pilot had approximately 290 meters remaining.
Performance Considerations
According to the PA-28 flight manual, landing distances vary between 200 and 340 meters depending on aircraft weight, altitude, and temperature. For the conditions that day, the theoretical landing distance was 240 meters. The manual's figures are based on test pilot performance with a new aircraft.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 61, held a basic license obtained in June 2010. He had accumulated 110 total flight hours, including 30 solo hours. In the three months prior to the accident, he logged 15 hours, with no flying in the preceding 24 hours.
Conclusion
The accident resulted from the pilot's late decision to execute a go-around following an unstabilized approach. This decision ultimately proved inappropriate and led him to attempt to stop the aircraft by exiting the runway.