Accident to the Robin DR400 registered F-GEKT on 28/04/2022 at Lens-Bénifontaine

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in November 2022. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference (December 2022).

Note: the following information is principally based on statements made by the pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1. History of the flight

After a local flight consisting of three runway circuits, the pilot landed on runway 03 of Lens-Bénifontaine aerodrome. He vacated the runway and then taxied on taxiway A, which was adjacent to the right side of the runway, in the same direction as the landing. On reaching the intersection between taxiway A and taxiway B adjacent to runway 09/27, the pilot realised that he had just passed the hangar in front of which he was to park the aeroplane. He then made a right turn towards the hangar. During the turn, the right wing struck the top of the sign indicating holding point B for runway 03/21. The pilot continued taxiing to the planned parking position.

2. Additional information

2.1. Aeroplane and accident site information

The pilot came upon the sign from behind, which was painted white. The collision with the upper part of the sign resulted in a tear in the lower skin of the right wing and damage to a rib.

2.2. Pilot information and statement

The 65-year-old pilot, who held a LAPL(A) licence, had logged 125 flight hours, of which 35 h were as pilot in command. In the three months prior to the accident, he had logged five flight hours, all on the DR400 as pilot in command.

He stated that when he arrived at the aero club, the aeroplane was in a hangar not customarily used by and did not belong to the aero club. He added that the chief pilot asked him to park the aeroplane in front of the same hangar after his flight.

He explained that after landing, he started thinking about what was waiting for him that afternoon at work. As he reached the junction of taxiways A and B, he realised that he was going the wrong way towards his aero club's hangar and then abruptly made a right turn towards the 'right' hangar. He added that he did not pay attention to what was around him and did not see the sign.

He said that he had not been informed of the recent installation of this sign and added that it would have helped him to pay more attention.