Region

Crash of a Pilatus PC-12/47E in Courchevel

Date & Time: Feb 17, 2024 at 1007 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OO-PCN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charleroi – Courchevel
MSN:
1819
YOM:
2018
Flight number:
PGC16F
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 22 at Courchevel Altiport, the single engine airplane went out of control, veered to the left, lost its left wing and came to rest in the snow adjacent to the runway. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries. They just completed a positioning flight from Charleroi-Brussels South.

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I near Gap: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 2023 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-HSLE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Gap - Gap
MSN:
208-00340
YOM:
2001
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Gap-Tallard Airport on a local skydiving mission, carrying 15 skydivers and one pilot. After all 15 skydivers jumped out, the pilot was returning to his departure point when the airplane crashed on the wooded slope of Pic de Crigne, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about 10 km southwest of Gap-Tallard Airport. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 3NMT Expeditor in Bastia

Date & Time: Sep 14, 2021 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-BKGL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bastia - Bastia
MSN:
A-764
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
On August 19, 2021, the airplane was acquired by a British citizen in Saudi Arabia and repatriated to UK via Egypt, Crete, Greece, Croatia and France. On August 25, en route from Croatia to France, the right engine suffered a loss of hydraulic pressure after the cylinder n°5 failed. The crew diverted to Bastia-Poretta Airport where he landed safely. On September 13, the cylinder n°5 was replaced by a qualified technician and a post maintenance control flight was scheduled for September 14, despite the pilot was slightly ill. The airplane departed Bastia-Poretta Airport at 1010LT and six minutes later, the pilot informed ATC that the control was completed and that he wanted to return to the airport. Due to departure traffic, the pilot was asked to fly along the mountain for a left hand circuit to land on runway 34. Seven minutes later, the right engine failed, followed 20 seconds later by a loss of power on the left engine. With a rate of descent between 900 and 1,500 feet per minute, the pilot was unable to reach the airport and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane impacted trees and crashed in an orchard, bursting into flames. All three occupants escaped the airplane by their own and were injured. The airplane was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Most likely, the fuel selectors were in the 'Nose' position at start-up. The pilot thought that the main tanks were selected. He probably took off and flew on the 'Nose' tank, common to both engines, without realizing it. At the end of the downwind leg, having probably consumed all the fuel available in the 'Nose' tank, the right engine stopped. In this hypothesis, the left engine would also have suffered the effects of a fuel supply failure. This hypothesis is consistent with the observation of the position of the left and right fuel selectors on 'Nose' in the wreckage, and the pilot's initial testimony that the selectors had not been manipulated. The pilot, who was no longer able to hold the landing and was too far from the runway to reach it, was unable to avoid colliding with trees during the forced landing. His attention was focused on the aircraft's path, and he didn't think to switch off the battery, magnetos or the fuel supply system. During the collision with trees, the right engine and wing were torn off, and a fire broke out.
It is considered that the following factors may have contributed to the probable selection of fuel selectors on the 'Nose' instead of the main tanks:
- The pilot's lack of experience on type, which could have exposed him to a selection error and which was not conducive to his detection during the pre-start-up and pre-takeoff checks;
- The ergonomics of the fuel tank selector levers, which could have led him to think that they were positioned on 'Front';
- The pilot's state of health and fatigue at the time he undertook the flight, which was likely to have impaired his cognitive abilities.
- A form of objective-destination linked to the accumulated delay in repairing the cylinder may have contributed to the pilot's decision not to postpone the flight, despite his altered general state;
- A misrepresentation of the position of the fuel selectors may have led the pilot not to change their position when the engine problem occurred.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in Courchevel: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 2021 at 1144 LT
Operator:
Registration:
F-HYGA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cannes - Courchevel
MSN:
46-36483
YOM:
2010
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
345
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Cannes-Mandelieu Airport on a private flight to Courchevel with two passengers and one pilot on board. The goal of the flight was to maintain the validity of the pilot to access to the Courchevel Altiport. Following a right hand base leg, the pilot configured the airplane to land on runway 22. On final, the altimeter showed an altitude close to the runway threshold, and the aircraft was levelled off to the runway threshold. A few seconds before landing, the stall warning sounded, the engine power was increased and then reduced completely. The undercarriage impacted an embankment above the runway threshold and were torn off. The airplane lifted a bit then fell back onto the runway. It slid for about 100 metres before coming to rest. A fire erupted on the right side of the fuselage. The pilot and the front passenger exited the aircraft through the rear door and managed to extract the rear passenger, who was unconscious and died a few minutes later.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a premature descent during the approach. The pilot started the descent on the base leg, whereas mountain landing practices call for a descent on final approach after interception of the descent plan, combined with an erroneous assessment of the aircraft's position in relation to the final descent plan. Investigations revealed that the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 6,600 feet during the last turn, about 400 feet below the altitude indicated on the approach chart.
The following factors may have contributed to the accident:
- The period of training received by the pilot was probably insufficient;
- A lack of landing experience at Courchevel;
- A misunderstandings between the pilot and the passenger seated on the right about his role during the flight, himself being an airline pilot and instructor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader in Annecy

Date & Time: Dec 4, 2020 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-LUV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marseille - Annecy
MSN:
303-00058
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1077
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Marseille-Provence Airport on a private flight to Annecy. En route, while cruising at FL110, the pilot was informed about the weather conditions at destination with a braking coefficient considered as medium due to a wet runway. After being cleared to land on runway 04, the pilot continued the approach but landed half way down the runway at a speed of 119 knots. After touchdown, he initiated the braking procedure but the airplane suffered an aquaplaning and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, impacted an embankment, went trough a fence and came to rest on a road. While both passengers aged 26 and 28 were slightly injured, the pilot aged 70 was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot initiated the descent too late, causing the aircraft to approach well above the glide,
- The pilot continued the approach with an unstabilized airplane nor in speed nor on the glide,
- The airplane landed halfway down the runway, reducing the landing distance available,
- The speed upon touchdown was recorded at 119 knots, 30 knots above the recommended speed in the flight manual,
- The braking coefficient was considered as medium because of a wet runway surface,
- The airplane suffered an aquaplaning effect when the pilot initiated the braking procedure.
Final Report: