Accident to the Piper PA28 registered F-BVUK on 28/06/2022 at Toussus-le-Noble

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in January 2023. 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 statements made by the student pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. History of the flight

The student pilot took off on paved runway 07R of Toussus-le-Noble aerodrome to perform solo aerodrome circuits.

She indicated that during the second touch-and-go on runway 07R, the aeroplane bounced three or four times on its nose gear. She rejected the landing and carried out another circuit. During the landing, the aeroplane veered to the right when the landing gear touched down on the runway.

The aeroplane exited the right side of the runway and came to a stop in the grass, at approximately 20 m from the runway edge.

The nose gear was broken and both blades of the propeller were bent.

2.  Additional information

2.1. Meteorological information

The Toussus-le-Noble METAR indicated:

at 12:30: wind from 200° of 7 kt varying between 150° and 250°;

at 13:00: wind from 200° of 7 kt varying between 150° and 290°.

The wind direction thus evolved during the runway circuits. The crosswind could have evolved into a tailwind.

2.2. Student pilot information

The student pilot did not hold any pilot licence at the time of the accident. She had logged approximately 30 flight hours.

She believed that her lack of experience on this type of aeroplane was probably the reason for the loss of yaw control. She explained that she had only carried out one dual flight on F-BVUK and that previously she had always flown a newer aeroplane whose controls seemed less stiff.