Accident to the Mudry Cap 232 registered F-HERA on 23/05/2024 at Saint-André-de-L'Eure

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 took off from Dreux - Vernouillet aerodrome, where the aeroplane was based, to fly to Saint-André-de-L'Eure aerodrome the same day. At the latter aerodrome, he carried out two aerobatic flights lasting around fifty minutes. For these flights, he took off from runway 05L and landed on runway 23R.

After refuelling, he got ready to take off again to return to Dreux - Vernouillet aerodrome. At this time, another aeroplane was in the circuit for runway 23R. The pilot therefore lined up on runway 23R, but as the grass had not been freshly mown in the middle of the runway, he offset the aeroplane to the RH side, which looked more suitable.

During the take-off run, after about 40 m, the nose of the aeroplane suddenly plunged towards the ground. The pilot tried to counter this by making a nose-up input on the stick, but the nose of the aeroplane came into contact with the ground and the aeroplane rolled over. The pilot reported that the propeller ruptured and that significant damage was inflicted to the fuselage, steering and powerplant.

2. Additional information

2.1 Meteorological information

The 18:30 automatic METAR for Evreux - Fauville aerodrome situated 8 NM north of Saint-André-de-L’Eure aerodrome indicated the following conditions:

• mean wind from 280°, 6 kt;
• CAVOK;
• temperature 18°C;
• QNH 1016 hPa.

The pilot indicated that the day before, there had been heavy rain throughout the day at the aerodrome.

2.2 Saint André de l’Eure aerodrome information

Saint André de l’Eure aerodrome has: 

• • an unpaved runway 05L-23R measuring 1,100 m x 50 m;
  • an unpaved runway 05R-23L measuring 400 m x 40 m.

It is reserved for aircraft based at the aerodrome and for aircraft based at nearby aerodromes (including Dreux - Vernouillet) and is particularly used for aerobatic flights.

Photos taken after the accident showed, on the RH side of runway 23R, furrows of around ten centimetres corresponding to the tracks of the main landing gear. At this point, the ground was waterlogged.

2.3 Pilot information

The 46-year-old pilot held an aeroplane Private Pilot Licence (PPL (A)) issued in 2003. He had logged approximately 600 flight hours including 200 hours on type.

October 2024