What happened
On March 12, 2015, a Jodel D140 aircraft, registration F-PUIL, was performing a local flight from the Morzine Avoriaz altisurface. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, had arrived at the airfield the previous day. During the takeoff roll, the pilot intentionally aligned the aircraft several meters to the left of the runway centerline to avoid asphalt patches on the upper platform that could damage the aircraft's skis.
As the pilot applied full power, the aircraft crossed the break in the platform and entered a significant lateral slope. Despite immediate attempts to reduce power and use rudder inputs, the pilot was unable to maintain control. The aircraft slid left, deviating from the runway axis and traveling several dozen meters past the longitudinal end of the runway. After crossing an initial ski slope and striking a runway marker post, the aircraft continued sliding into a second ski slope. The propeller, which was still rotating at idle, struck a skier, causing one serious injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's procedures, the airfield's infrastructure, and the environmental conditions. Investigators noted that the pilot had not performed a ground reconnaissance of the runway prior to departure. Such a check would have revealed the condition of the snow, the presence of obstacles, and the steep slope on the left side of the runway, which was particularly critical as the pilot was unfamiliar with this specific airfield.
Regarding the airfield, the investigation found that the Morzine Avoriaz altisurface lacked lateral markings. While regulations required brightly colored flags to delimit the runway sides, the responsible aero club had ceased aeronautical activities years prior, leaving maintenance solely to municipal snow grooming services. Additionally, the proximity of the takeoff area to active ski slopes was noted as a factor in the potential for conflict between aircraft and skiers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to conduct a runway reconnaissance, which led to an improper alignment outside the lateral limits of the runway and the subsequent loss of control.
- The pilot's decision to reduce power without shutting off the engine meant the propeller remained operational, contributing to the severity of the injuries sustained by the skier.
- Contributing factors included the lack of runway markings and the close proximity of the airfield's takeoff area to active ski slopes.