Piper Super Cub PA18-150 accident at Col du Palet altisurface (HB-PQP)

Incident Overview On 2 June 2017, at approximately 10:30 local time, a Piper Super Cub PA18-150 with registration HB-PQP was involved in an accident while landing at the Col du Palet altisurface in the French Alps. The aircraft was operating in general aviation and was carrying an instructor and a student pilot. The accident occurred during a training flight for the mountain qualification with wheels. ## Flight Details The student pilot, accompanied by an instructor, departed from Annemasse aerodrome for the Saint-Roch Mayères altisurface to conduct a training flight. After completing two landings at Saint-Roch Mayères, the aircraft departed for the Col du Palet altisurface. The instructor noted the presence of snow on the last third of the runway and decided to take control of the aircraft for the landing. ## Accident Sequence The instructor performed three low reconnaissance passes over the altisurface to assess the snow conditions. After evaluating the conditions, the instructor determined that a landing was feasible. The aircraft touched down at the beginning of the runway. During the rollout, the aircraft entered the snow-covered section of the runway. The wheels sank into the soft, thick snow, and the tires became blocked due to the progressive accumulation of snow in front of the tires. The aircraft slowly pitched forward, pyloned, and came to rest on its back. ## Aircraft and Personnel The aircraft was a Piper Super Cub PA18-150 equipped with Alaskan Bushwheels 31-inch tires, which are designed for takeoff and landing on rough terrain, snow, or ice. The instructor held a private pilot license (PPL(A)), an instructor rating (FI(A)), and a mountain instructor qualification for wheels and skis (MI). The instructor had a total of 2,624 flight hours, including 800 hours as an instructor, and 11,000 landings, including 6,000 in mountain areas. ## Weather Conditions The weather conditions estimated by the instructor at the accident site were light winds from a variable direction in the west sector, with clear visibility (CAVOK). ## Investigation Notes The information in this report is primarily based on the testimonies of the instructor and the student pilot. These details have not been independently verified by the BEA. The BEA's investigations are solely aimed at improving aviation safety and do not seek to determine fault or responsibility.