History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by an instructor, departed from Lyon-Bron at around 10:30 for Courchevel mountain airfield. The purpose was to renew the pilot's access approval for that airfield. During the reconnaissance overhead, they noted the wind from the north. After two 360° holding patterns due to traffic, they joined the right-hand base leg for runway 22. On final approach, flaps were set to landing position. The instructor reported a strong downdraft and took control, retracting flaps by one detent and advancing power levers to full deflection, then reducing power before touchdown. The aeroplane touched down approximately 170 m from the threshold. The instructor could not stop the aeroplane, which continued into a bank at the end of the runway.
Aircraft Information
The Diamond DA42-NG is a low-wing, twin-engine aeroplane with retractable landing gear, seating four. The weight and balance were within limits; landing weight was 1,775 kg (max 1,900 kg). The flight manual lists landing speeds for various flap settings. No anomalies were identified that could have contributed to the accident.
Pilot and Instructor Information
The 60-year-old pilot held a private pilot licence (2005) with multi-engine piston rating (2006), about 2,700 total hours, including 1,700 on the DA42. He had 82 landings at Courchevel since 2012, last in July 2020. He did not hold a mountain rating. The 75-year-old instructor held an aeroplane instructor rating and a mountain rating; specific hour details were not provided in the source.
Meteorological Information
Météo-France estimated unstable surface air mass with thermal lift onset, light turbulence, few cumulus clouds from 8,000 ft, temperature 18°C. The weather station at Courchevel at 11:15 recorded northerly wind average 10 kt, gusts 17 kt. The instructor estimated wind from 020° at 10 kt, a right tailwind for runway 22. Webcam analysis confirmed wind from 020° at 10–15 kt. The pilot and instructor felt strong gusts on final and after landing.
Site and Wreckage Information
Braking marks began in the last meters of the 18.66% slope and continued to the wreckage. The aeroplane slipped while turning left and struck a bank, spinning around before coming to rest. Flaps were retracted at collision. The runway is 536 m long, threshold at 6,371 ft. The AFIS was closed; the VAC chart specifies routing via point L and overhead before joining right-hand base leg at 7,000 ft.
Additional Information
The landing run distance calculations from the flight manual, adjusted for tailwind and slope, indicated that a longer distance would have been required. The video analysis showed the aeroplane touched down at 170 m, with remaining runway about 360 m. Ground speed after touchdown was estimated at 105 kt, corresponding to an indicated airspeed of 85 kt. The flaps were not in landing configuration at touchdown; they were retracted three seconds after wheel touchdown.