Accident to the Robin DR400 registered F-HGCJ on 24/06/2018 at Île d’Yeu

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 July 2021. 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

The pilot accompanied by three passengers, took off from Joigny aerodrome bound for Île d’Yeu aerodrome. During the landing on runway 14[1], the aeroplane suddenly veered to the left and went off the runway. The right main landing gear bent on the same axis as the wing, with its wheel oriented towards the fuselage. The aeroplane continued its path on the left side of the runway (some parts of the right wing, including the flaps in the landing configuration, rubbed against the ground) before coming to a stop in the grass about 300 meters from the runway 14 threshold and 10 meters from the edge of the runway.

2 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1 Pilot information

The pilot, holder of a PPL(A) issued in July 2014, had logged about 200 flight hours, half of which as pilot-in-command.
The pilot indicated that the wind of 12 to 15 kt was coming from the left of the runway. He added that the plane suddenly veered to the left shortly after the nose gear wheel came into contact with the ground.

2.2 Meteorological information

The AFIS agent informed the pilot on final approach that there was a 12 kt wind from 070°.
At the time of the accident, the weather conditions at Nantes-Atlantique aerodrome, located
42 NM north-east of Île d’Yeu aerodrome, were as follows: wind from 050° of 10 kt, varying in direction between 360° and 80°, CAVOK, temperature 23°C, dew point 10°C, QNH 1022.

2.3 Aircraft information

The DR400-160 flight manual recommends configuring the aeroplane with the flaps in the take-off position (1st flap detent) in case of crosswind.