What happened
On December 16, 2001, at 15:25 local time, a Murphy Rebel amateur-built aircraft, registered F-PSDU, was performing circuit patterns at Bastia-Poretta Airport (AD Bastia). During the fourth landing on runway 34, the pilot encountered a sudden wind gust. This gust caused the right wing to lift, leading the left wingtip to strike the runway surface. This impact triggered a ground loop.
As the aircraft rotated during the excursion, the main landing gear collapsed. The propeller subsequently struck the ground and broke. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in the grass on the western edge of the runway, near the central taxiway. The pilot, who had significant flight experience but limited time on this specific type, was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing phase and the meteorological conditions present at the time. Investigators noted that prior to the landing, air traffic control had reported winds from 010° at 20 to 25 knots. The pilot also indicated that they had performed a "long" landing in an attempt to vacate the runway quickly via the central taxiway due to heavy traffic within the circuit.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot haste and an insufficient assessment of the landing conditions.
- A sudden wind gust contributed to the loss of control and the subsequent wing strike.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the airframe, propeller, and main landing gear.