What happened
On the day of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed from Gap-Tallard Airport to conduct a scheduled skydiving operation. The flight was the sixth mission of the day and was carrying a total of 16 people, consisting of one pilot and 15 skydivers. After the 15 passengers had successfully exited the aircraft, the pilot began the return leg of the flight toward the departure airfield.
During the descent, the pilot initiated a wide left-hand turn intended to position the aircraft for its final approach. However, while maintaining an altitude of 6,400 feet, the pilot deviated from the established flight path by turning onto a south-westerly heading. Unlike the previous five successful flights of the day, this maneuver resulted in a straight-line descent toward terrain. At 10:50 local time, the aircraft type collided head-on with the mountainside in the vicinity of Pic de Crigne. The impact caused the plane to disintegrate, and the pilot was the sole fatality.
Findings
- The aircraft deviated from the intended approach pattern by executing a right-hand turn onto a south-westerly course.
- The pilot's deviation from the planned flight path led to the collision with the mountainside.