Incident Overview
On May 24, 2017, at approximately 11:20 local time, a ski-equipped Jodel D140E with registration F-BOPZ was involved in an accident while operating from the Altisurface du Glacier du Tour. The location is situated in the commune of Argentière (74) at an altitude of 3,200 meters. The aircraft was destroyed in the incident.
Flight Progression
The flight was a general aviation instruction mission involving a student pilot and an instructor. They departed from Annemasse aerodrome to conduct training on the glacier altisurface. After performing a site reconnaissance and completing a first landing, the student executed a turn to align for a second takeoff.
Loss of Control
During the left-hand turn required to align with the runway axis for departure, the aircraft began to slide to the right toward the north-side slope near the end of the maneuver. The student increased power, and the instructor immediately took control of the aircraft. Despite these actions, the crew was unable to regain the centerline or stop the lateral drift.
Impact and Aftermath
The aircraft continued sliding toward a rimaye (a deep crevasse on the edge of the snowfield). It struck rocks located below the slope and came to rest in the snow a few meters further. The investigation notes that weather conditions at the site were estimated by the instructor as having winds from the north-northeast at 10–15 knots, clear skies (CAVOK), and a QNH of 1025 hPa.
Personnel Qualifications
The student pilot held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) obtained in 2000 and a mountain qualification for wheeled aircraft. At the time of the accident, they had approximately 650 total flight hours, including six hours in the preceding three months, five of which were on the Jodel D140E. The instructor held a Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)), an Instrument Instructor rating (FI(A)), and a mountain instructor qualification for both wheeled and ski-equipped aircraft, with approximately 18,500 total flight hours.