Accident to the Issoire APM20 registered F-HAYO on 29/04/2022 at Lannion

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

Note: This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the information published in May 2022. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

1 - HISTORY OF  THE FLIGHT

The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, took off from Ancenis aerodrome at about 18:15 [1]  for a cross-country flight to Lannion.

On arriving at destination, the pilot flew over the aerodrome at an altitude of about 1,800 ft, i.e. 500 ft above the published height of the runway circuit. He assessed from the windsock that there was a north-north-east crosswind of 12 to 15 kt. He then joined the left-hand downwind leg for runway 29[2]. The aerodrome Flight Information Service was closed and there were no other aircraft in the circuit.

The pilot indicated that after a stabilized final, he was "decrabing" by  making left pedal and right stick inputs. The aeroplane touched down on the runway with the main gear first and then, when the nose gear contacted the runway, the aeroplane immediately veered to the left. The aeroplane ran off the side of the runway before the pilot could counter the veer with the pedal. The nose gear broke and the engine stopped when the propeller hit the ground. The aeroplane came to rest on its nose about 70 m from the runway centreline, level with the touchdown zone markings.

2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The 59-year-old pilot, who held a private pilot licence PPL(A) issued in 2016, had logged approximately 225 flight hours, and 12 h in the last three months, 8 h of which were on the AMP20. When preparing for the flight, he had noted that a crosswind was forecast at his destination. He stated that he had previously taken off and landed in crosswind conditions, but that he had never experienced a wind as strong and variable on the AMP20. He added that he had more experience on the DR400.

The Lannion METARs of 18:30 and 19:00 respectively reported a wind from 030° and 020° of 8 kt and a CAVOK situation. The METARs of the surrounding aerodromes (Morlaix, Saint Brieux and Landivisiau) reported similar weather conditions.

The APM20 flight manual states that the demonstrated crosswind limit for take-off and landing is 15kt.

August 2022