Pre-Flight History
On February 7, 2011, pilot B flew aircraft N747AW to Saanen. The aerodrome manager described the approach as too fast and steep, with a pronounced nose-down attitude and the nose gear contacting the runway first, followed by a rebound and lateral displacement. No defects were recorded in the logbook. The aircraft then departed for Paris-Le Bourget. Between February 8 and 28, six flights with different pilots were made, ending in Sion. No defects were reported. On March 7, two VFR flight plans from Lausanne to Dijon and back were filed.
On March 8, pilots A and B coordinated four flights: a ferry from Sion to Lausanne, a round trip to Dijon with a passenger, and a return ferry. Pilot A acted as commander for the first three flights, occupying the left seat. Before these flights, pilot A made a local flight in Sion. At approximately 08:40, N747AW took off from Sion for Lausanne with both pilots. Pilot A landed on runway 18, describing it as "very good." Then, with the passenger, they flew to Dijon-Longvic, landing at 12:30. Pilot A noted the aircraft deviated left during landing but was corrected; no defect was logged. The aircraft was refueled before departure back to Lausanne.
History of the Flight
On March 8, 2011, at 15:00, N747AW departed Dijon-Longvic for Lausanne-La Blécherette with pilot A (commander), pilot B, and a passenger. The 28-minute flight was uneventful until landing. The commander performed a "normal" landing on runway 18 approximately 50 to 100 m after the threshold, with main gear touchdown followed by the nose wheel. Immediately after, the aircraft deviated left and left the runway. The nose gear collapsed. The aircraft continued on the grassy strip between the runway and taxiway, coming to rest 427 m from the start of the runway, about 8 m from the left edge. The nose was oriented slightly right relative to the runway axis. The commander helped the passenger exit, while pilot B shut off cockpit switches. All three occupants evacuated through the main door without injury. The aerodrome manager observed the excursion and raised the alarm. No fire occurred. The ground sustained slight damage from wheels and propeller marks.
Pilot Accounts
Pilot A stated his heels were on the floor, maintaining lateral control with rudder using toe tips. Before he could operate brakes or reverse, the aircraft veered sharply left and left the runway. He applied full right input unsuccessfully, thinking the left wheel was jammed. He heard no particular noise or vibration. Pilot B reported final speed at 83 kt, a normal landing on main gear, maintaining centerline until suddenly the aircraft deviated sharply left. Reverse was not used. No noise or vibration was felt. After leaving the runway, the aircraft settled on its nose without major impact before stopping. The passenger described the touchdown as smooth and uneventful.
Meteorological Information
An anticyclone over Eastern Europe produced stable weather. Lausanne-La Blécherette did not issue a METAR. Interpolated conditions: cloud 1/8 base around 6000 ft, hazy, visibility approximately 10 km, wind south-south-west at 4–6 kt, temperature 10°C, dewpoint 0°C, QNH 1025–1030 hPa. Sun azimuth 228°, elevation 27°. Pilots reported dry runway with headwind of about 3–4 kt from 170°.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA46-500TP Meridian (registration N747AW, serial number 4697017) was manufactured in 2000 by Piper Aircraft Inc. It is a single-engine turboprop, six-seat, pressurized, metal low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear. The engine was a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A (serial number PC). The owner was N747AW Corp Trustee (Wilmington, DE, USA) and the operator was SARL PRIV’AIR (Beaune, France).