What happened
On Thursday, February 24, 2000, at 14:50, a Robin DR 300-108, registered F-BSOF, was conducting a private flight from Carpentras to the Serres La Bâtie airfield. As the pilot approached the airfield, they noted being at an excessive height on the final approach. In an attempt to correct the glide path, the pilot performed a sideslip maneuver.
The aircraft touched down at the far end of the unpaved runway with excessive speed. Following the touchdown, the aircraft continued along an overrun area measuring 180 meters by 40 meters, which is typically reserved for takeoffs from runway 36. The aircraft traveled approximately 200 meters further before the right wing struck a tree. This impact caused the aircraft to pivot 270 degrees to the right, eventually coming to rest on a road located five meters below the airfield level. The impact resulted in damage to the landing gear and the leading edge of the right wing.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path stability and the pilot's familiarity with the airfield. The pilot, who possessed significant flight experience, indicated that they were unfamiliar with the specific characteristics of the Serres La Bâtie aerodrome.