What happened
On April 26, 2014, a DR 400-120 aircraft, registered F-GOVL, was conducting a solo instructional flight from Montpellier-Méditerranée airport. After approximately 45 minutes of flight, the student pilot attempted to land on runway 12 Right. At the time of the landing, the wind was blowing from 200 degrees at 15 knots.
Shortly after the wheels touched the runway, the aircraft drifted to the right and veered off the paved surface. Although the pilot attempted to use differential braking via the rudder pedals, the aircraft could not be stopped before striking the airfield perimeter fence, located 80 meters from the runway centerline. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, meteorological conditions, and the aircraft's behavior during the landing flare. The student pilot, who had approximately 43 total flight hours, noted that while the initial ATIS information before takeoff indicated a wind of 150 degrees at 12 knots, they had not checked for updated information upon returning to the airfield. The updated wind information was only received from air traffic control during the final approach.
Investigators noted that a building on the western edge of the airfield can generate turbulence near the threshold of runway 12 Right when winds originate from the south or southwest. The airfield's visual approach chart specifically warns of turbulence risks on runway 12R/30L during strong southwest winds.
Analysis of the landing marks showed that only the left main gear and nose gear marks were present at the initial touchdown. However, tracks from all three wheels were visible in the grass, oriented 30 degrees to the right of the runway centerline.
Findings
- The pilot was aware of the potential for turbulence but failed to sufficiently anticipate the crosswind component as the aircraft exited the wind shadow.
- While the pilot applied left rudder during the flare to counteract the drift, the aircraft became destabilized during the transition from the wind shadow to the full crosswind.
- The pilot did not check the updated ATIS for wind changes prior to the landing approach.