Accident to the Robin - R1180 registered F-GCAR on 30/07/2019 at Aix-les Milles (13)

Note: The following information is principally based on the pilot’s statement. This information has not been independently validated by the BEA.

This is a courtesy translation by the BEA of the Final Report on the Safety Investigation published in April 2020. As accurate as the translation may be, the original text in French is the work of reference.

1 - History of the flight

The pilot took off from Gap-Tallard aerodrome bound for Aix-Les Milles aerodrome.

He approached the destination aerodrome from the east and listened to the ATIS which mentioned that runway 32[1] was active and that the wind was from 280° at 12 kt. He entered the aerodrome circuit on a long right-hand base leg. On final for runway 32, the pilot received clearance to land. The controller informed him that the wind was from 240° at 10 to 16 kt. In view of the crosswind and in accordance with the checklist in the flight manual, the pilot adopted an increased landing speed of 140 km/h. The flaps were fully extended.

During the flare, just before touchdown, the aircraft rolled rapidly to the right and took a nose-down attitude. The right wing rubbed against the runway. The pilot then applied left inputs on the control stick and pedals. The aircraft went off-center to the left until it was no longer over the runway. The pilot was able to get back over the runway and carried out a go-around on the centreline. He indicated that no vibrations had been felt onboard.

Ground instructors intervened on the frequency and advised the pilot to land at Marseille Provence airport to benefit from the ARFF. There was enough fuel onboard to fly there but the pilot preferred, at this moment, not to divert. He carried out an aerodrome circuit followed by a low altitude flyover to get an opinion on the condition of the landing gear. The controller informed him that the landing gear appeared to be in good condition.

The pilot then completed a second aerodrome circuit. The wind had intensified and was now coming from 230° at 12 to 27 kt. During the landing on runway 32, the aircraft bounced twice.

2 - Additional information

The pilot held a valid private pilot licence, aeroplane, with a valid SEP rating and had logged 350 flight hours, four of which were on Robin R1180. He had logged four flight hours in the previous three months, three of which were on F-GCAR.

He explained that, in view of the crosswind, he should not have extended all the flaps. In these conditions, the checklist specifies that the flaps should be extended to 20° for landing.

He stated that the propeller touched the ground but that no one onboard was aware of it. At the end of the flight, he noted damage to the propeller blade tips.

He added that he found the second landing more difficult than the first. He described a mental pattern of "going all the way," with a very strong intention to land.