What happened
On September 19, 2015, a Robin DR 400, registration F-GFXZ, was performing solo circuit training at Annecy Meythet aerodrome. Following a dual-instruction navigation flight, the instructor authorized the pilot to complete three solo circuits. After a successful first touch-and-go on runway 04, the pilot attempted a second landing.
During the second approach, the pilot manipulated the controls to assist the nose of the aircraft in descending to touch the runway. Upon the nose gear making contact with the pavement, the aircraft veered to the left and exited the side of the runway. The pilot managed to maintain directional control, allowing the aircraft to taxi onto the grass parallel to the runway. As the aircraft decelerated, the nose gear struck a concrete slab protruding slightly above the ground level. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse under the fuselage, and the aircraft came to a stop approximately ten meters from the runway edge.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's control inputs during the landing flare and the mechanical behavior of the nose gear. Investigators reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting they had a total of 9 flight hours, including only two previous supervised solo circuits. Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as CAVOK with a light 3-knot westerly wind.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to manually assist the lowering of the nose prevented the nose gear strut from compressing sufficiently.
- This lack of compression meant the nose gear wheel failed to unlock during the landing sequence.
- The resulting directional instability caused the aircraft to veer off the runway.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the nose gear collapse upon hitting a concrete obstacle.