What happened
On 21 March 2021, a Robin DR400-140B, registration F-GHYQ, operated by Aéroclub d’Albertville, crashed into a wooded area near the Fort of Montgilbert in Savoie, France. The aircraft was performing a local flight with the pilot and three passengers when it struck the tops of pine trees during a climb.
After departing from runway 23 at Albertville aerodrome, the pilot climbed over the town of Aiton toward the Belledonne massif. While navigating toward a pass located between Montgilbert Fort and the Hurtières ridge line, the pilot realized the aircraft was too low to clear the terrain. Believing a U-turn was not possible, the pilot attempted to increase altitude by pulling the nose up. This maneuver caused the airspeed to drop and triggered the stall warning. In an attempt to maneuver, the pilot initiated a slight left turn, which further reduced the margin above stall speed. The aircraft subsequently struck pine trees and came to rest in the snow.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage, the pilot's flight history, and the environmental conditions. Investigators examined the crash site, located approximately 7 NM south of Albertville at an altitude of 1,340 m. The wreckage was found on the western slope of the Hurtières ridge line. Evidence of impact was found on trees approximately 60 m before the final resting position, with the right aileron and left wing being the first components to strike the vegetation. The aircraft appeared to have fallen almost vertically through the trees at the end of its path.
Technical examination of the Robin DR400-140B revealed no mechanical anomalies; the flight control linkages were intact, and the engine shaft could rotate freely. Meteorological data indicated clear visibility (CAVOK) with light south-easterly winds and temperatures near 0°C at 1,500 m.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident was caused by the pilot's insufficient altitude when approaching the mountain pass. Contributing factors included:
- The pilot's insufficient consideration of the aircraft's performance capabilities when selecting a flight path.
- Insufficient knowledge of mountain flying practices, specifically regarding the management of terrain clearance and performance limits in mountainous environments.