History of the Flight
On 28 March 2025, around 13:30 UTC, a student pilot flying a Robin DR400-100 (registration F-GGJG) was returning to Lognes-Émerainville aerodrome after his first solo cross-country flight to Nangis-les-Loges aerodrome. He had completed two runway circuits there. Approaching Lognes, he checked in at point E at 1,200 ft within the Radio Mandatory Zone. The tower controller asked him to overfly the aerodrome at 1,500 ft due to traffic. Shortly afterward, the controller suggested joining long final for runway 26 behind another aircraft on base leg; the student accepted.
The student configured for landing with flaps 2 and activated carburettor heat. The controller cleared him to land and reported wind from 310° at 5 to 13 kt. During the flare, the student decrabbed to reorient the nose onto the runway centerline but simultaneously felt the nose yaw rightward, back into the wind. Sensing the aircraft heading toward the grass, he initiated a balked landing.
The aircraft continued right, leaving the runway at about 20° to the centerline. It rolled over grass between the runway and taxiway N, crossed the intersection of taxiways N and N3, then flew over refueling stations L2 and L4 and part of the apron in front of the tower. The climb rate was low, and height remained below 20 ft. The student then began a left turn to join the runway axis, crossing taxiway N and N4 again at about 45 ft. He rejoined the runway axis roughly 220 m from threshold 08. He then re-entered the downwind leg and landed on runway 26 without further incident.
Additional Information
Student Pilot
The 32-year-old student pilot, pursuing a Private Pilot License (A) since June 2023, had logged 57 flight hours, including 6.5 hours in the previous 30 days and 5.5 hours in solo instruction. His training was on various DR400s. He stated the cross-country flight was uneventful. On approach to Lognes, he briefed for long final and began climb actions after the initial clearance to overfly at 1,500 ft. He was briefly unsettled by the change in plan to join long final but considered himself stabilized at 130 km/h on slope and axis at landing clearance. He did not understand why the aircraft realigned with the wind during decrab. He hypothesized a gust, insufficient left rudder, or unintentional brake pressure. After initiating the balked landing, he realized he had not deactivated carburettor heat nor set flaps 1. While reconfiguring, the aircraft continued right; he saw no one on taxiways and focused on exiting the power curve rather than turning immediately. He then rejoined the circuit and landed, feeling stressed but managing it.
Instructor
The 29-year-old instructor held a CPL(A), IR-ME, and instructor rating. He had logged 572 hours and 340 instruction hours. He had trained the student and authorized his solo flight. Before the solo, they flew together to check conditions. He was briefing another student during the incident and did not witness it. Afterward, he debriefed with the student and they flew a circuit together. He observed tire marks on the runway, possibly from hard braking, but later inspection found no confirming marks. He noted that different brake configurations among club aircraft were a hazard and taught students to call out "heels on floor" before takeoff or on short final.
Controllers
Three controllers were in the tower. One saw the aircraft bank left smoothly while over the ramp, estimating bank less than 30°, and did not perceive it as evasive. Another confirmed the bank was not steep and felt the pilot banked to avoid fuel pumps. The controller on frequency deliberately did not ask the student for explanation during the subsequent circuit.
Aircraft Information
F-GGJG is a DR400-100 with brake controls on the pedals and a hand-brake flap control. Recommended landing configuration is full flaps (flaps 2); take-off requires flaps 1. Speeds: rotation at 100 km/h (flaps 1), initial climb 130 km/h, normal climb 150 km/h, stall speeds 78 km/h (flaps 2) and 88 km/h (clean). The flight manual specifies approach speed 110 km/h with flaps 2, or 120 km/h with flaps 1 in crosswind or gusts. The club's procedures sheet states 120 km/h with flaps 2.
Meteorological Information
At departure to Nangis, ATIS reported wind from 280° at 7 kt, variable between 210° and 350°. On return, ATIS reported wind from 330° at 7 to 12 kt, variable between 250° and 360°. At landing, the controller reported wind from 310° at 5 to 13 kt.