Jodel D140 F-BOPG Strikes Pedestrians During Takeoff at Méribel Altiport

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 29 December 2016, at approximately 15:00 local time, a Jodel D140 aircraft with registration F-BOPG was involved in an accident at the Méribel Robert Merloz altiport in France. The aircraft was operated by a club for a general aviation sightseeing flight, carrying a pilot and two passengers. The incident resulted in one pedestrian being seriously injured and another being lightly injured, while the aircraft sustained significant damage. ## Flight Sequence and Pedestrian Impact The pilot took off from runway 33, which was dry and not snow-covered. After lifting off, the aircraft followed a descending trajectory. Shortly after, the pilot initiated a right turn, during which the right wing struck a group of pedestrians located 120 meters from the runway threshold, outside the altiport's perimeter. The group consisted of two adults and an adolescent standing on a plateau at the end of the runway. Two pedestrians were hit in the head, with one suffering serious injuries. The pilot heard the impact, verified the aircraft was responding normally, and returned to land at the altiport. ## Aircraft Damage and Meteorological Conditions The damage to the aircraft was localized to the underside of the wing, where the fabric was torn over several centimeters, and the outer attachment of the right flap was partially torn off. At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions included calm winds, CAVOK visibility, a temperature of -5 °C, and a QNH of 1033 hPa. ## Site Characteristics and Pilot Experience The Méribel Robert Merloz altiport is a restricted-use aerodrome situated at 5,600 feet altitude, featuring a paved 15/33 runway measuring 406 meters by 15 meters. Landings are conducted on QFU 15, while takeoffs are on QFU 33. A road passes below the end of the runway beyond the perimeter fence, and a plateau extends the runway's alignment, offering a view of the valley and frequently visited by tourists and hikers. The pilot, a 55-year-old ATPL(A) and FI(A) holder with mountain qualifications, had approximately 8,500 hours as command pilot, including 35 hours 30 minutes on the Jodel D140 in 2016. ## Video Analysis and Safety Conclusions A video recorded by a passenger confirmed the engine was functioning nominally. The wheels lifted off between 100 and 150 meters from the end of the runway, and the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at a height of four meters with a descending slope of approximately 6%. The bank angle during the right turn was 25 degrees. A morning video from the same day showed a different trajectory with a lower slope and a later turn, along with low overflight heights of public facilities and high bank angles. The accident resulted from the pilot's lack of control over the aircraft's trajectory during takeoff, which did not match the described procedure. The investigation highlighted risk-taking in flight conduct and trajectory choices, with low overflight heights of public areas.