History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, departed from Megève mountain airfield around 11:00 for a flight in the Mont Blanc massif. The flight followed the Chamonix valley and entered the Mer de Glace at 11:25. At approximately 11:27:40, the aircraft reached 10,600 ft over the Tacul glacier with a vertical speed of about 320 ft/min and a ground speed of roughly 155 km/h. The terrain slope ahead steepened to about 20%. By 11:28, ground speed had decreased to 130 km/h. The pilot perceived a lack of climb performance and decided not to attempt a turn near Gros Rognon, instead aiming for an emergency landing in the Vallée Blanche. At 11:29:25, a passenger photo showed an indicated airspeed of about 112 km/h and vertical speed slightly above 500 ft/min. At 11:29:45, ground speed reached approximately 90 km/h, altitude peaked at 11,340 ft, and vertical speed dropped suddenly. The aircraft descended about 70 m over ten seconds before colliding with the ground. The two occupants struck the instrument panel upon impact. A witness alerted emergency services, leading to a helicopter rescue.
Site and Wreckage Information
The wreckage was found at an altitude of 3,404 m on the Vallée Blanche glacier, approximately 1 km southeast of the Col du Midi pass. Cable car cables linking Helbronner, Gros Rognon, and Aiguille du Midi were about 100 m higher and 200 m horizontally distant. The aircraft was complete, oriented southeast (137°), resting on its forward fuselage with a slight nose-down attitude. The nose was buried about 10 cm in soft snow. The aircraft likely struck the ground at low horizontal speed with a left-hand roll. Damage was limited to the landing gear and wings; propeller blades were intact. Flight controls were continuous, flaps retracted, and engine controls pushed forward (maximum power, richness, carburetor heat off), though first responders may have moved them. Engine inspection and bench testing found no malfunctions. Fuel samples were nominal for Avgas 100 LL.
Pilot Information
The 46-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) since 1996, with 400 total flight hours, including 228 solo. On the Jodel D140, he had 40 hours, with only 2 solo hours (one flight in 2020 and a 20-minute flight in January 2025). In the three months before the accident, he logged 6 hours (5 instruction) flying in the Mont Blanc massif and to Méribel. He had no other mountain flying experience.
Meteorological Information
At 11:00, the Aiguille du Midi weather station (3,852 m) reported wind from 250° at 10 kt with gusts to 15 kt, temperature -13 °C (ISA -3 °C). The aircraft was downwind of terrain, but the influence on climb performance could not be determined. Sky was clear with a few high clouds.
Aircraft Information
F-BMFV was a Jodel D140 C, a low-wing wood-and-fabric monoplane with conventional landing gear. It had a Lycoming O-360-A3A engine (180 hp) and a two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller. Equipped with skis, maximum takeoff weight 1,200 kg. Stall speed with flaps retracted: 92 km/h; best climb speed: 135 km/h. The aircraft had no artificial horizon. Maintenance was per manufacturer requirements. Estimated weight at accident: 920 kg, within center of gravity limits.
Additional Information
The flight manual indicated climb performance of about 590 ft/min at 11,000 ft and 900 kg without skis. Ski-equipped aircraft typically experience about 20% reduction in climb performance, per experienced pilots. Flight data showed ground speed decreasing from 150-160 km/h to 90 km/h, with vertical speed dropping in the final seconds, indicating flight on the backside of the power curve.