What happened
On November 22, 2008, a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-GGJQ, was performing a touch-and-go maneuver at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. The flight, which was a joyride for the pilot's grandparents, originated from Cannes. During the landing roll on runway 04L, the pilot attempted to retract the flaps to the first setting but found the control blocked by the front passenger's knee. While attempting to rectify the situation, the aircraft veered to the right and exited the paved surface of the runway.
The pilot maintained engine power to keep the aircraft parallel to the runway within the safety margins, focusing on maintaining a straight course. During this excursion, the aircraft struck two taxiway direction signs located 180 meters apart. The pilot did not apply brakes during the event as his attention was focused on the forward trajectory. Following the collision, the pilot increased power to return to the runway and requested taxi instructions to the parking area.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's configuration, and the environmental conditions. The pilot, a 23-year-old with a PPL(A) obtained in 2007, had accumulated 51 total flight hours, with only six hours specifically on the Robin DR 400-120. At the time of the accident, the weather featured a 15-knot crosswind from 120 degrees.
Investigators noted that the pilot had flown only four times since joining his aero club earlier in 2008. While the pilot had reviewed the METAR and TAF for Nice and believed the 15-knot crosswind was within his capabilities, he admitted that had he been flying solo, he might have declined the flight or sought a more experienced pilot to accompany him to increase his confidence. The pilot's role as an air traffic controller at Nice may have also influenced his decision to proceed with the landing despite the wind conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the insufficient mastery of crosswind landing techniques.
- A physical obstruction occurred when the front passenger's knee blocked the flap lever, distracting the pilot during a critical phase of the landing roll.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage due to the collision with runway signage.