Accident
On 26 April 2014 at approximately 15:45 local time, a DR400-120 aircraft registered as F-GOVL experienced a runway excursion during landing at Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (34). The aircraft was operated by a flying club on a solo instructional flight. After a 45-minute local flight, the student pilot lined up for landing on runway 12 right. The wind was reported as 200° at 15 knots. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft deviated to the right and exited the runway laterally. The student applied braking but could not stop the aircraft, which struck the airport perimeter fence located 80 meters from the runway centerline. The aircraft was heavily damaged.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a DR400-120, registration F-GOVL. The student pilot held a basic private pilot certificate and was training for a Private Pilot License (PPL). He had approximately 43 total flight hours, including 6 hours 30 minutes as pilot-in-command, all on type.
Meteorological Conditions
Before departure, the student listened to the ATIS, which reported wind from 150° at 12 knots. On return, he did not re-check the ATIS but received an updated wind information from the controller while on final: 200° at 15 knots. Airport observations at 15:00 showed wind from 180° at 7 to 12 knots; at 16:00, wind from 200° at 11 to 17 knots. Conditions were CAVOK with QNH 1011 hPa.
Statements
The student stated that he was aware of potential turbulence on runway 12 right with south/southwest winds, as mentioned on the VAC chart and reinforced by a windsock at the threshold. He applied left rudder input during the flare to counteract drift but could not recall his control column input. He believed he may not have sufficiently anticipated the crosswind component while exiting the wind shadow, which destabilized the aircraft.
The instructor noted that a building on the western edge of the airfield can create turbulence on the first 200 to 300 meters of runway 12 right when wind is from the south or southwest. The VAC chart mentions a "risk of turbulence on runway 12R/30L with strong SW wind." An additional windsock had been installed at the threshold to alert pilots.
Examination of the Site
Tire marks on the runway showed that only the left main wheel and nose wheel touched down initially. After the runway excursion, all three wheels left marks in the grass, oriented 30° to the right of the runway axis.
Conclusion
Insufficient consideration of the crosswind component by the pilot led to destabilization of the aircraft and loss of directional control on the ground.