Accident to the Piper PA22 registered HB-OTR on 27/08/2023 at Rouen
Loss of control during landing
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 Belle‑Île aerodrome (Morbihan) bound for Rouen-Vallée de Seine aerodrome (Seine-Maritime).
During the landing on runway 22[1], the pilot lost control of the aeroplane which entered a ground loop before coming to a stop on the runway.
The main landing gear and left wing ruptured.
2.Additional information
2.1 Meteorological information
The 14:00 Rouen-Vallée de Seine aerodrome METAR indicated the following meteorological conditions: wind from 260°, varying between 240° and 300°, 11 kts, few clouds at 2,500 ft and scattered clouds at 3,800 ft. The METAR also indicated a temporary change with showers and broken cumulonimbus at 2,000 ft.
2.2 Pilot information
The pilot held a PPL(A) obtained in 1982. He had logged a total of 1,047 flight hours at the time of the occurrence.
He explained that the approach up to the flare seemed stabilised to him. He believed that he had not anticipated the crosswind coming from the right and that, as a consequence, did not manage to counter the movement of the aeroplane during the flare.
2.3 Aircraft information
The Piper PA-22 150 is an aeroplane with a conventional landing gear equipped with a 150-hp Lycoming engine for a maximum take-off weight of 907 kg.