Accident to the Evektor Aerotechnik EV97 registered F-HMPI on 11/10/2022 at Valréas-Visan

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in February 2022. 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 instructor and the student pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT

The instructor and the student pilot carried out a circuit on runway 02¹ in dual control at Valréas-Visan aerodrome. Then the instructor waited approximately 20 min for the light mist which was south of the aerodrome to dissipate before authorizing the student to start a solo runway circuit under his supervision.

The student pilot carried out a first solo runway circuit and a full stop landing. The instructor considered that the approach, the slope, the tracking and the landing went perfectly and authorized the student to carry out another solo runway circuit. The instructor indicated that the approach, the tracking and the slope were correct, as in the previous flight. When the aeroplane touched down, he saw it bounce twice.

The student pilot indicated that just before touchdown, he had the feeling that the aeroplane sank brutally as if he was making a “deck landing”. The main landing gear then contacted the runway, the aeroplane bounced on its nose gear then again, on its main landing gear. The student pilot stated that the stall aural warning did not sound.

The aeroplane came to a stop on the runway. The nose gear collapsed. The student pilot shut down the engine and quickly evacuated the aeroplane. The propeller and the landing gear were damaged.

Figure 1: attitude of aeroplane after landing (source: BEA)

2. Additional information

The student pilot did not hold any pilot licence. He had logged 11 h 20 min of flight time, all on type and in the previous three months, of which 4 h 20 min in the previous month.

The instructor and the student pilot indicated that at the time of the landing, there was no wind and that the weather conditions were CAVOK.

February 2023

[1] Unpaved runway measuring 1,020 x 50 m with displaced threshold, landing distance available 900 m.