Fatal Jodel D113 V crash on Argentière glacier

Casualties unknown • French is the work of reference., FR

An instructional flight in a Jodel D113 V ended in a fatal collision with a glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On 23 June 2022, a Jodel D113 V aircraft, registration F-PLUM, departed from Albertville aerodrome for an instructional flight. The crew, consisting of an instructor and a student pilot, headed toward the Mont Blanc mountain range. During the flight, the aircraft entered the Argentière glacier basin.

While navigating the glacier, the aircraft likely performed a 180-degree right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered a low cloud ceiling and potentially turbulent air. The aircraft subsequently struck the glacier surface, resulting in a two-person fatality count. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart and catch fire, destroying the wreckage.

The investigation

The BEA examined the wreckage site, which was dispersed across three distinct areas on the glacier at an altitude of 2,840 meters. Investigators identified a deep imprint from the aircraft's tail, a crater formed by the fuselage impact, and a third area containing the engine and wings, which had been heavily damaged by fire. Analysis of the propeller blades indicated that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact.

Meteorological data and webcam footage from the area were analyzed to reconstruct the weather conditions. The investigation also reviewed statements from mountain hut wardens, who noted that the sky was overcast over the glacier basin and that visibility was diminished. The wardens also observed a white aircraft flying toward the bottom of the glacier shortly before it disappeared from view.

Findings

  • The aircraft was flying in the presence of a low cloud ceiling and likely encountered turbulent atmospheric conditions.
  • The aircraft was positioned downwind of the terrain on a downward slope, which likely caused the aircraft to be pushed toward the ground by downdrafts.
  • The investigation could not determine the specific reasons why the instructor decided to enter the Argentière glacier valley or the extent of the instructor's awareness regarding the dangerous aerological phenomena, such as the Foehn effect, which can cause severe gusts and downdrafts in that region.

Probable cause

The aircraft likely encountered downdrafts while flying downwind of the terrain in the Argentière glacier basin, leading to a collision with the glacier surface.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-06-23 JODEL - D113 V accident near French is the work of reference., FR?

An instructional flight in a Jodel D113 V ended in a fatal collision with a glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, resulting in two fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-06-23 involved a JODEL - D113 V, registration F-PLUM, at French is the work of reference., FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft likely encountered downdrafts while flying downwind of the terrain in the Argentière glacier basin, leading to a collision with the glacier surface.

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