What happened
On February 17, 2024, a Pilatus PC-12, registered OO-PCN, was conducting a cross-country flight from Charleroi, Belgium, to Courchevel, France, to collect passengers. The crew, consisting of a pilot-in-command and a co-pilot, was performing a standard approach to runway 22. While the aircraft maintained a stabilized airspeed of 85 kt, the pilot initiated the descent late, resulting in a flight path that fell below the recommended 5% glide slope.
As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the pilot significantly increased the aircraft's attitude while simultaneously reducing engine power to idle. This maneuver caused the main and nose landing gears to collide with an embankment located just before the runway threshold. The impact caused the left main landing gear to partially fail, and the aircraft subsequently bounced several times on the runway. The left wingtip then struck a snowdrift, causing the aircraft to spin 18 and come to a stop in the snow. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including the detachment of the left wing and landing gear.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight data from the CVFDR, radio communications, and witness videos. The investigation focused on the approach profile, the crew's experience, and the adequacy of the training provided for accessing the Courchevel mountain airfield. Investigators also reviewed the operator's standard operating procedures and the regulatory framework governing access authorizations for mountain airfields.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a non-stabilized approach caused by a late descent initiation, which led the aircraft to fly below the required glide slope.
- The pilot-in-command's lack of experience in mountain flying and specifically at the Courchevel airfield contributed to the error.
- The duration of the practical training used to obtain the site access authorization was insufficient, as the pilot had only completed a few hours of training on a different aircraft type.
- The co-pilot lacked sufficient mountain flight experience to effectively monitor the flight path and assist the pilot-in-command in maintaining the correct slope.