What happened
On 25 February 2017, a Pilatus PC-12/47E, registered OO-PCI, was conducting a cross-country flight from Charleroi, Belgium, to the Courchevel mountain airfield in France. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and seven passengers, including children. The pilot-in-command was accompanied by a safety pilot who, while assisting with flight management tasks, did not hold a type rating for the aircraft or a specific rating for the Courche and mountain airfield.
During the approach to the mountain airfield, the crew performed visual reconnaissance and followed the prescribed flight path. As the aircraft transitioned to the final approach, the descent profile became unstable. The aircraft descended below the required 5% approach slope. At approximately 0.2 nautical miles from the runway threshold, the aircraft was 114 feet below the target slope. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck a snow-covered bank located just before the runway threshold. While the crew noted damage to the left wheel rim immediately, a subsequent inspection revealed substantial damage to the left wing.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and aircraft condition monitoring systems. The investigation focused on the flight path, the experience levels of the crew, and the training protocols required for accessing high-altitude mountain airfields. Investigators also reviewed the operator's training programs and the specific authorization held by the pilot-in-command for the Courchevel site.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the accident, most notably that the final approach was not stabilized. The investigation established that the pilot-in-command made an error in judgment regarding the aircraft's position relative to the approach slope on short final.
Furthermore, the investigation identified deficiencies in crew experience and training:
- The pilot-in-command had relatively limited experience since obtaining the specific authorization to use the Courblevel mountain airfield.
- The safety pilot lacked the necessary type rating and had not undergone the specific training required for the Courchevel site.
- The pilot-in-command's training duration for the mountain airfield authorization was shorter than the instructor's intended program.