Zone
Savoie

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

Date & Time: Feb 17, 2024 at 1007 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-12
Operator:
Registration:
OO-PCN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleroi – Courchevel
MSN:
1819
YOM:
2018
Flight number:
PGC16F
Location:
Courchevel
Savoie
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
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 Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in Courchevel: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 2021 at 1144 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
Operator:
Opium Events
Registration:
F-HYGA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cannes - Courchevel
MSN:
46-36483
YOM:
2010
Location:
Courchevel
Savoie
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
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 Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Courchevel

Date & Time: Jan 31, 2005
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
MBH Services
Registration:
N67TC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
690-11233
YOM:
1975
Location:
Courchevel
Savoie
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft stalled on approach to Courchevel Airport and touched down hard, causing substantial damage to the fuselage. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Turbo Porter near Usillon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
F-BIEL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Courchevel - Geneva
MSN:
345
YOM:
1960
Location:
Usillon
Haute-Savoie
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Courchevel Altiport on a positioning flight to Geneva-Cointrin Airport. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions when the single engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near the Plateau des Glières, in the region of Usillon. The pilot was killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near Courchevel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Trans-Pacific Supply Company
Registration:
N9093N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
London - Sydney
MSN:
500-1398-54
YOM:
1964
Location:
Courchevel
Savoie
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to an international rallye between UK and Sydney, in Australia. The aircraft departed London on 19 of December and the contact was already lost with ATC when the aircraft was flying over the Alps. As the airplane failed to arrive at the next stopover, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few weeks later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On 5 August 1970, walkers found the wreckage on the slope of a mountain located near the Rocher de la Plassa, about 6 km southeast of Courchevel. Both occupants have been killed.
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