What happened
On Monday, December 7, 1998, at 15:15, a SOCATA TB 20, registration F-GMIX, was performing a local flight at Deauville aerodrome. After completing several circuits, the pilot attempted a landing. During the final approach, the aircraft drifted off the left side of the paved runway.
In an attempt to correct the deviation and return to the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around while applying right rudder/aileron input. During the subsequent climb, the aircraft exhibited a tendency to veer to the right. The pilot then identified that the right flap had been bent upward. The flight was completed safely, and the aircraft landed without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the runway excursion and the damage sustained by the aircraft. Investigators established that during the initial excursion from the runway, the right flap of the SOCATA TB 20 had struck a light beacon located near the runway edge.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the pilot's decision to execute a maneuver contrary to the initial landing decision (attempting to correct the lateral deviation via a go-around after the aircraft had already left the runway surface).
- The physical damage to the aircraft, specifically the upward deformation of the right flap, was caused by impact with a runway light beacon.