What happened
On 22 August 2021, two separate accidents occurred in the vicinity of Vars, France, involving aircraft participating in a German-organized cross-country flight through the Alps. Both aircraft were flying in a group of approximately 20 planes intended to help pilots familiarize themselves with mountainous terrain.
At 13:38, a Cirrus SR20, registration D-EFCD, crashed in a forested area. The pilot and passenger had taken off from Mont-Dauphin Saint-Crépin, heading toward Barcelonnette. While navigating the valley leading to the Col de Vars pass, the aircraft encountered difficulties maintaining altitude. The pilot eventually turned 90 degrees toward the terrain in an attempt to reach a wooded area for an emergency landing. The impact resulted in two serious injuries and the destruction of the aircraft.
Later that afternoon, at 16:24, a Cessna 172, registration D-EFTP, struck a field while attempting an emergency landing. The pilot, accompanied by two passengers, had entered the same valley at a low altitude. Believing the aircraft could utilize updrafts to climb, the pilot eventually realized the pass could not be cleared and turned toward the terrain. The aircraft struck a slope, causing a ground loop and significant damage. This accident resulted in three serious injuries and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight paths using data from the SkyDemon application, mobile phone recordings, and witness statements. The investigation focused on the aircraft performance at altitude, the meteorological conditions, and the pilots' decision-making processes. Investigators analyzed the engine power, weight, and the impact of high temperatures and air density on the climb gradients of both aircraft. The investigation also looked into the flight preparation and the influence of the 'group effect' during the excursion.
Findings
- Insufficient flight preparation led both crews to underestimate how high temperatures, heavy weights, and high density altitudes would degrade engine performance and climb gradients.
- The Cirrus SR20 pilot was influenced by a group effect, choosing to follow other aircraft despite limited experience in mountain flying.
- The Cessna 172 pilot overestimated the ability of updrafts to assist the climb over the terrain.
- Both pilots entered the narrow valley at an insufficient height to safely clear the mountain pass given the prevailing conditions.
- Limited recent mountain flying experience contributed to both crews' inability to execute timely U-turns or maintain safe altitudes.