What happened
On 28 July 2022, a TECNAM P92 ECHO CLUB microlight, identified as 73TH, crashed into a mountain slope near the Val Thorens airstrip in the French Alps. The flight, which originated from Albertville, was a cross-country mission carrying a pilot and one passenger.
At approximately 09:15, the aircraft was performing an approach to runway 10. While on the left-hand base leg at an altitude of roughly 8,530 ft, the pilot encountered difficult conditions and attempted a missed approach. During the maneuver to break away to the left, the aircraft collided with the terrain below the runway threshold. The impact occurred on a westerly flight path, and the aircraft subsequently slid down the slope, striking a rock before coming to rest on its back. The collision resulted in two fatalities and the destruction of the microlight.
The investigation
The BEA investigation utilized communication recordings, passenger photographs, and local webcam footage to reconstruct the flight path. Investigators examined the wreckage and the engine, finding no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the impact. The aircraft's flaps were found in the first detent position.
Environmental data revealed that while winds were light in the plains, a strong southerly wind of approximately 20 knots was present at the mountain airstrip. This specific wind direction is known to create severe turbulence and downdrafts in the Alps. Furthermore, the investigation noted that high altitude and high temperatures had significantly degraded the aircraft's performance, increasing the true airspeed and reducing engine power output.
Findings
- The pilot likely encountered severe downdrafts and turbulence during the final approach, necessitating a missed approach.
- The attempted break-away maneuver was performed facing the terrain under unfavorable aerological conditions.
- Insufficient consideration of aerological conditions during flight preparation likely prevented the pilot from anticipating the dangerous wind variations between the plains and the high-altitude airstrip.
- There was an inadequate assessment of the local weather during the reconnaissance phase, which failed to prompt the pilot to abort the approach before it began.
- Degraded aircraft performance due to high density altitude and temperature contributed to the difficulty of the maneuver.