Accident to the GROB G 102 ASTIR CS registered F-CEXC on 29/06/2011 at Le Mans Arnage aerodrome

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

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in April 2020. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

1 - History of the flight

On final approach for unpaved runway 02[1], after a local flight of 3 hours and 15 minutes, the pilot thought that his approach slope and aiming point were correct and that his approach speed was sufficient. On short final, he applied a nose-up input to the stick to return to his initial slope which he had left, according to him, because of a strong downdraft. The glider stalled and came into contact with the grassy ground about 50 m before the threshold of runway 02. It continued its run on the grass and came to rest on the unpaved runway.

Both landing gear supports were broken and the wheel remained embedded in its housing.

2 - Additional information

2.1 Pilot’s experience and statement

Holder of a glider pilot licence, the 67-year-old pilot had logged 135 flight hours, 76 of which were in dual command. For personal reasons, the pilot had stopped flying between 2004 and 2011. He had resumed dual flights on 20 April 2011 and had completed seven flights for a total time of 5 hours and 45 minutes before flying 20 minutes solo on 8 June. On 24 June, he flew 2 hours and 25 minutes solo. With the exception of one flight in April, the pilot's nine flights since starting to fly again in 2011 had been on a Schleicher ASK 21.

The pilot indicated that he was also used to flying Pegasus gliders and that none were available on the day of the accident. The chief pilot suggested that he take the F-CEXC and gave him a presentation of the glider. Regarding the flight, the pilot stated that he encountered no difficulties during the approach and was not tired despite the length of the flight.

2.2 Chief pilot’s statement

The chief pilot indicated that turbulence is often present at the threshold of runway 02 because of the large buildings in the vicinity. He felt that the pilot's approach speed on short final was insufficient.

2.3 Weather Information

The weather at the time of the accident was as follows: visibility over 10 km, 5 to 7 oktas of cloud at 3,000 ft, wind from 330° at 10 kt.