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Accident to the Piper PA18 registered HB-OKB on 26/05/2025 on Mens mountain airstrip

Windsock strike during go-around on mountain airstrip, in instruction

Responsible entity

France - BEA

Investigation progression Closed
Progress: 100%

The instructor and student pilot had planned to land on Mens mountain airstrip during a mountain familiarisation flight. The instructor, who had the controls, checked the airstrip to evaluate the wind and any possible obstacles. He did not carry out a low height evaluation of the runway and directly joined the start of the crosswind leg for runway 08.

On final, at a very low height, close to the runway threshold, the instructor considered that the length of the grass compromised landing and take-off. He decided to carry out a go-around. During this manoeuvre, the aeroplane collided with the windsock situated on the runway’s extended centreline, after the end of the runway.