Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I near Gap: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 15, 2023 at 1050 LT
Operator:
Registration:
F-HSLE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gap - Gap
MSN:
208-00340
YOM:
2001
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
3793
Aircraft flight cycles:
7447
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. This was the sixth flight of the day. The pilot started the descent then made a wide left turn to reach the final approach. At an altitude of 6,400 feet, in contrast to previous flights, the pilot turned right onto a south-westerly course and continued the descent in a straight line. At 1050LT, the plane collided head-on with the mountainside near the Pic de Crigne. The airplane disintegrated on impact and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
After completing the sixth parachute drop of the day, while descending toward the airfield, the pilot set a southeast course toward the terrain. The aircraft's trajectory and speed, along with the tone of the pilot's voice during a final exchange with the "Para Starter" just seconds before the collision with the terrain, suggest a deliberate maneuver. In the absence of elements supporting other hypotheses, this deviation from the return circuit to the airfield is compatible with a sudden impulsive act, allowing the pilot to escape from the psycho-emotional context from which he appeared to be suffering. In October 2022, the pilot was on a sick leave after attempting suicide on the 12th. The wife of the pilot stated that in the days leading up to the accident, she and her husband had separated.
Final Report:
