What happened
On April 12, 2010, at 18:05, a Robin DR 400-160, registration F-GSGD, was preparing for a flight from Orléans Saint-Denis-de-l’Hôtel to Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole. The pilot, flying solo, aligned the aircraft on runway 05 with flaps set to 15 degrees and the control column positioned vertically. Upon applying takeoff power and releasing the brakes, the aircraft reached a speed of approximately 40 km/h when the left wing began to lift.
In an attempt to counteract this lift, the pilot applied left control, causing the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway. The pilot subsequently reduced engine power to idle and allowed the aircraft to decelerate without applying brakes. During this excursion, the leading edges of both wing halves struck the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on the grass, and the pilot was able to return the aircraft to the parking area.
The investigation
The investigation examined the meteorological conditions and the pilot's recent flight experience. At the time of the accident, the nearby Orléans Bricy airport reported winds from 030° at 16 to 24 knots. While the pilot had been monitoring weather updates, post-accident feedback from other pilots suggested that the hangars at the airfield create significant turbulence on the runway during north-northeast winds.
The pilot's recent flying history was also reviewed. In the three months preceding the accident, the pilot had completed only six flight hours, including four hours on this specific type, all conducted under instruction in preparation for a license renewal. The flight was intended to be a repositioning flight to transport a pilot and a mechanic.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was insufficient control of the takeoff technique during turbulent crosswinds.
- The pilot's decision-making and resources were insufficient to manage the flight solo under the prevailing conditions.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage to both wing halves following the collision with the PAPI installation.