2005 Jodel D 140 C accident at Tsa de Tsan Glacier (F-PIXX)

Incident Overview and Location On July 21, 2005, a Jodel D 140 C with registration F-PIXX crashed on the Tsa de Tsan Glacier in the municipality of Bionaz, Aosta, Italy. The impact occurred at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level, about 4 nautical miles northwest of Cervinia. The aircraft was completely destroyed, and all four occupants, consisting of the pilot and three passengers, were killed. ## Flight History and Search The aircraft departed from Challes-les-Eaux airport (LFLE) in France at approximately 11:15 for a tourist flight. No flight plan was filed, which was required for crossing national borders. The last radio contact was made with the Challes-les-Eaux control tower shortly after takeoff. The destination and intended route were unknown, though it was presumed the pilot intended to reach Chamois. Search operations in Italian territory were initiated at 08:40 on July 22, 2005, by the Italian Air Force Rescue Coordination Centre following a request from the French equivalent in Lyon. The wreckage was spotted at 13:53 on July 22 by a Civil Protection helicopter crew from Aosta, following a report from a hiker. The occupants' deaths were confirmed shortly after. ## Investigation and Personnel The Italian National Agency for the Safety of Flight (ANSV) was notified of the incident by telephone at 14:00 on July 22, 2005, and immediately opened a technical investigation. The first site visit was conducted on July 23, 2005, using a helicopter provided by the Aosta Valley Civil Protection. The investigation was conducted in accordance with Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. The pilot was a 56-year-old French male holding a private pilot license issued on December 20, 2002, replacing a professional pilot license from 1978. He had approximately 6,000 total flight hours and had flown about 25 hours in the F-PIXX in the preceding 90 days.