What happened
On July 31, 2008, a Robin DR 400-160, registration F-GORA, was conducting a flight from Châlons Ecury-Sur-Coole to Chalon Champforgeuil with a pilot and three passengers. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a visual inspection of the airfield and noted a 6-knot wind from the south. The pilot elected to land on runway 35, following the lead of two other aircraft already in the pattern.
To accommodate a trailing aircraft, the pilot intended to vacate the runway quickly via a taxiway without performing a turnaround. During the landing flare, the pilot increased the approach speed by 20 km/h to account for the tailwind component and the aircraft's weight. After touchdown, the aircraft drifted to the left during braking. Unable to correct the trajectory, the pilot allowed the aircraft to continue onto the grass. As the aircraft moved off the paved surface, the nose gear struck a drainage ditch, resulting in a rupture of the nose gear and damage to the propeller.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing conditions and the physical environment of the runway margins. Investigators examined the aircraft's braking system, noting it utilized toe brakes, whereas the pilot was more accustomed to manual hand brakes. The investigation also identified a drainage ditch, approximately 30 cm wide and 25 cm deep, located within the runway strip. This ditch, intended for water runoff, was covered by grass and was difficult to see.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the insufficient consideration of landing conditions, specifically the tailwind component and the increased aircraft weight.
- A contributing factor was the presence of a poorly visible artificial obstacle (the drainage ditch) within the runway area that posed a risk to aircraft.
- It was noted that a similar accident had occurred at the same location in April 2008, and the danger posed by the ditch had been previously communicated to local authorities.