What happened
On April 14, 2016, a Piper PA34 Seneca III 220T, registration N101FM, was conducting a general aviation flight from Etampes Mondésir to the Courchevel Altiport with a pilot and two passengers. While on final approach for runway 22, the pilot began the flare at an altitude of approximately two meters and reduced engine power. This reduction in power caused the aircraft to stall, resulting in a hard touchdown and a subsequent bounce. During the bounce, the pilot applied power before reducing it again, leading to another heavy impact. The impact caused the left main landing gear to break, and the left propeller struck the ground. The aircraft then veered left and exited the runway.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, weather conditions, and pilot experience. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were CAVOK with a light wind from 200 degrees at 3 knots and a temperature of 6 °C. The pilot, a 73-year-old holder of a PPL(A), IR, and multi-engine rating, was qualified for mountain operations on both wheels and skis. The pilot had 3,300 total flight hours, including 1,000 hours on this aircraft type.
According to the pilot's testimony, he had landed at Courchevel approximately 300 times over the previous thirty years. However, he noted that his recent experience had been limited, with only 16 hours flown in the three months preceding the accident. The pilot stated that he reduced engine power prematurely, failing to account for the steep gradient of the runway, which led to the stall and a loss of control during the flare.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the premature reduction of engine power during the flare.
- The steep, concave profile of the Courchevel runway (with gradients ranging from 12.5% to 18.66%) increases the required pitch attitude during the flare, which in turn increases the load factor and the stall speed.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience contributed to a lack of coordination during the critical landing phase.