What happened
On the day of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed from Gap-Tallard Airport to perform a scheduled skydiving mission. The flight was the sixth operation of the day and carried one pilot along with 15 skydivers. After all passengers had successfully exited the aircraft, the pilot began the return leg toward the departure airfield.
During the descent, the pilot initiated a wide left turn intended to establish the final approach. However, at an altitude of approximately 6,400 feet, the flight path deviated from the established pattern; instead of following the previous flight profiles, the aircraft turned onto a south-westerly course and maintained a straight descent. At 1050LT, the plane struck the mountainside near the Pic de Crigne. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and the pilot was killed in the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the flight path revealed that the pilot set a southeast course toward the terrain during the descent. Analysis of the aircraft's speed and trajectory, combined with the tone of the pilot's final radio communication with the parachute jump coordinator, indicated a deliberate maneuver away from the airfield circuit. The findings suggest the deviation was consistent with an impulsive act related to the pilot's personal circumstances, as evidence pointed toward an attempt to escape significant psycho-emotional distress following a recent marital separation and a prior suicide attempt in October 2022.