Accident to the Cessna U206G "Stationair" registered F-GXBS on 13/02/2022 at Tournus-Cuisery aerodrome (Saône-et-Loire)
Enfoncement des roues lors du roulement après l’atterrissage, heurt de l’hélice et de l’aile gauche avec la piste, en instruction
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 2019. 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 pilots. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.
Cessna U206G “Stationair”[1]
1 - HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT
The pilot carried out a training flight with an instructor on the differences between the Cessna 208B[2] and the Cessna U206G registered F-GXBS.
Prior to the flight, the pilot taxied the aeroplane on unpaved runway 01-19 to assess its condition: he did not detect any difficulties. He then took off from runway 19, performed two aerodrome circuits, then an engine out exercise followed by a touch-and-go landing with the flaps retracted. During the touch-and-go run, the pilot announced a go-around and extended the flaps to 10°. As he increased power, the pilot and instructor felt a sudden braking action and the aeroplane’s nose sank. The propeller hit the ground and the aeroplane rolled to the left. The left wing hit the ground and the aeroplane came to rest on the runway.
The instructor explained that during the last landing, the aeroplane’s path was a few metres to the left of the runway centreline, unlike during the previous landings, and that the aeroplane ran over an area where the ground was softer and where the wheels dug in. He stated that F-GXBS was the only aeroplane in the operator's fleet that was not equipped with low pressure wheels.
2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Aerodrome information
Runway 19 at Tournus-Cuisery aerodrome measures 755 m long and 60 m wide. QFU 01 is preferred. The Visual Aerodrome Chart states: "AD not available during and after prolonged rainfalls. North part of the AD [..] swampy."
2.2 Meteorological information
On the day of the accident, the conditions reported by the pilot were: CAVOK, 10°C, QNH 1,018, wind 180/15 kt on the runway centreline. There had been no rain in the week before the accident.
2.3 Pilot information
2.3.1 Pilot in instruction
The 47-year-old pilot held a CPL(A) license issued in March 2019, an EASA Cessna SET class rating issued in January 2021, and an IR rating. He had logged a total of 1,381 flight hours at the time of the accident. He had logged approximately 900 flight hours on the Cessna 208B and 350 flight hours on the Cessna 206 with a Rolls-Royce turboprop[3]. This was his first flight on F-GXBS, a Cessna U206G with a PT6A turboprop.
2.3.1 Instructor
The 46-year-old instructor held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) issued in August 1997, an EASA Cessna SET class rating issued in March 2000, and an instructor rating issued in December 2002. He had logged a total of 12,397 flight hours. He had logged 300 flight hours on the Cessna U206G, of which 2 hours and 15 minutes in the previous 90 days.
[1] The Cessna 208B is equipped with a PT6A turboprop.
[2] Conversion under STC carried out by Soloy Aviations.
[3] Installation of a PT6A turboprop under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by Turbine Conversions Ltd.