What happened
On October 18, 2000, at approximately 15:00, a private Aviasud Mistral ultralight, identified as 73-HR, was conducting a local flight departing from Albertville. While navigating the mountainous terrain near Montmin, the aircraft followed the contours of the landscape, ascending a valley toward the Col du Casset. During this maneuver, the aircraft's nose gear struck a 50mm diameter steel utility cable that services the Tournette refuge.
Following the impact, the aircraft entered a vertical descent, striking the ground with significant force. Witnesses observed that although the emergency parachute began to deploy during the fall, it was unable to fully inflate due to the low altitude at the time of impact. The accident resulted in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the nature of the obstacle. Investigators confirmed that the cable, composed of steel wires, had been in place for many years and was documented on aeronautical charts. The point of impact with the cable occurred approximately 100 meters from the rocky terrain, at an altitude lower than the Col du Casset pass.
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) with no wind. While the investigation examined the aircraft's trajectory, it was unable to determine the pilot's level of familiarity with the specific site or the flight preparation procedures used prior to departure.