Incident to the Robin DR400-160 registered F-GLVZ on 29/07/2021 at Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine)

Cat. 3 investigation report: report concerning an occurrence with limited consequences, based on one or more statements not independently validated by the BEA.

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in February 2022. 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 pilot. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

1 - HISTORY OF THE FLIGHT

During the landing on paved runway 17, the pilot encountered turbulence, possibly generated by the hangars west of the runway. The aeroplane bounced three times and the nose gear bent at the top of the strut. The pilot continued taxiing to the parking area, but experienced difficulty in keeping in a straight line.

2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Pilot information

On the day of the incident, the 66-year-old pilot held a PPL(A) private pilot license for aeroplanes issued in March 2018 and had logged approximately 130 flight hours, 35 hours of which were as pilot-in-command. He also held a microlight pilot license issued in July 2018. He had flown about five hours on the DR400-160 since September 2020 including one flight a few days before the incident.

2.2 Meteorological information

The weather conditions estimated by Météo-France were as follows:

• Average wind from the southwest at about 15 kt with maximum gusts of 20 kt,
• Visibility greater than 10 km,
• A few cumulus and stratocumulus clouds at a height of about 5,000 ft,
• No precipitation,
• Temperature 21.5 °C.

2.3 Aerodrome information

The Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo aerodrome is a controlled aerodrome with three runways, two of which are paved and oriented 17/35 and 12 30. The landing distance available (LDA) on paved runway 17 is 2,200 m.
It is specified in the special instructions of the aerodrome VAC chart that in strong westerly wind conditions, wind shears and strong turbulence can be present on final approach to runway 17 and on the runway because of hangars located between 200 and 400 m west of the runway at an angle of 30 degrees to its axis.