Accident to the Jodel DR221 registered F-BPRR on 25/09/23 at Pontoise

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation. 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 the pilot’s statement. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. History of the flight

The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, undertook a flight from Saint-Cyr-l’École aerodrome (Yvelines) bound for Pontoise — Cormeilles-en-Vexin aerodrome.

 The pilot carried out an approach for runway 05[1] which he described as stabilised and envisaged performing a touch-and-go. On final, following a request made by his passenger, he changed his mind and decided to carry out a full-stop landing. The pilot indicated that the touchdown was “soft”. During the landing run and at slow speed, the aeroplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot held the stick back and to the right, and pressed on the left pedal without activating the brakes. Despite these actions, the pilot was unable to counter the aeroplane’s movement. The aeroplane made a ground loop and then came to a stop on the runway.

 The aeroplane’s right gear ruptured. The right wing, the right aileron and the right flap were damaged.

2. Additional information

2.1 Meteorological information

The 17:30 METAR for Pontoise — Cormeilles-en-Vexin aerodrome indicated the following weather conditions: wind from 270° of 01 kt, visibility greater than 10 km, scattered clouds at 3,800 ft.

2.2 Pilot information

The pilot held a PPL(A) issued in 1990. He had logged 980 flight hours at the time of the occurrence including approximately 100 hours on the Piper J3 which is an aeroplane with a conventional landing gear. He had been authorised to fly the DR221 on 21 September 2023 after seven flight hours in dual control. The pilot had flown around 11 h 30 min including 6 h 30 min on type in the previous 3 months and around  4 h including 3 h on type in the previous 30 days.

2.3 Aircraft information

The Jodel DR 221 is an aeroplane with a conventional landing gear equipped with a 115-hp Lycoming engine for a maximum take-off weight of 840 kg.