What happened
On 6 August 2021, a Piper PA46-350P, registered F-HYGA, was conducting a cross-country flight from Cannes-Mandelieu to Courcheleul with a pilot and two passengers. The pilot's objective was to renew his access authorization for the mountain airfield, which was nearing expiration.
During the approach to runway 22, the pilot began his descent on the base leg, approximately 400 feet below the altitude specified on the visual approach chart. While on final approach, the pilot leveled the aircraft at an altitude close to the runway threshold. As the aircraft maintained this level flight without an increase in power, the airspeed decreased. The stall warning activated as the ground speed dropped to approximately 78 knots. Although the engine power was briefly increased, it was subsequently reduced before the flare. The aircraft's main landing gear struck an embankment located 50 centimeters below and one meter before the runway threshold. The impact caused the landing gear to rupture and a fire to break out on the right side of the aircraft. While the pilot and the front passenger escaped through the rear door, the rear passenger was pulled from the wreckage unconscious and died shortly after.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, flight recordings, and video footage recovered from the passengers' mobile phones. The investigation established that the aircraft's avionics did not record data because the necessary SD cards were missing. Analysis of the video metadata allowed investigators to reconstruct the flight path, confirming the aircraft was offset to the north during the final turns and that the descent began prematurely.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training and experience. The pilot had obtained his Courchevel access authorization through a one-day training course earlier that year but had not landed at the airfield since that date. The investigation also looked into the role of the front passenger, an experienced flight instructor, and the communications between the crew during the approach.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident, most notably the pilot's decision to begin the descent too early on the base leg and an error in judging the aircraft's position relative to the glide path.
Other contributing factors included:
- The pilot's lack of recent landing experience at Courchevel since receiving his authorization.
- Insufficient training duration for the access authorization, which at the time of the accident lacked a standardized, regulated training program.
- Misunderstandings between the pilot and the passenger regarding the passenger's role, which influenced the pilot's decision to fly the mission and affected cockpit communication during the approach.