Accident to the Aquila - AT01 registered F-HDOV on 07/09/2018 at Coulommiers Voisins (Seine-et-Marne)

Cat. 3 investigation report: report concerning an occurrence with limited consequences, based on one or more statements not independently validated by the BEA.

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in July 2021. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

Note: The following information is principally based on statements made by the pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1 - HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT

The pilot indicated that during the landing on runway 27C at Coulommiers Voisins aerodrome, he was blinded by the sun. He had difficulty estimating his height above the runway during the flare and made a hard touchdown on the main gear. The aeroplane rose again before falling back on the runway. The nose gear broke and the propeller came into contact with the ground. The aeroplane came to rest on the runway.

2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Meteorological information

The Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport weather reports indicated for 7 September 2018 at 19:30: north-westerly wind of 5 kt, visibility greater than 10 km, and a clear sky.

Sunset was at 20:17 on the day of the accident.

2.2 Pilot information

The 49-year-old pilot held a PPL(A) licence issued in 2012 associated with a SEP rating. He had logged 139 flight hours, of which 120 dual flight hours and 10 hours on type. In the three months preceding the accident, he had flown five hours, all on type.
The pilot explained that although he was alone in the aerodrome circuit, he did not consider going around on final or using runway 09 where he would have had his back to the sun. He did not think that the sun would cause such an error in his estimation of the height during the flare.