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Aircraft Crashes into Lake Bourget During Approach to Chambéry (VP-BLN)

Chambéry-Aix-les-Bains, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On February 6, 1998, a Gulfstream GIII (registration VP-BLN) operated by Pegasus Aviation - Bermuda was involved in an aviation accident near Chambéry-Aix-les-Bains, France during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The impact with the water was the result of a loss of visual references during final approach during which the crew voluntarily brought the plane beneath the ILS glide slope, in an area affected by mist, on one hand and on the other hand due the failure to… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into Lake Bourget one kilometer short of runway 18 at Chambéry after descending below the ILS glide slope. All five occupants evacuated into 4°C water; the aircraft sank to 33 meters.

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft departed Geneva-Cointrin Airport at 1220 local time with three crew members and two passengers aboard. The flight was a short segment to Chambéry, where additional passengers were scheduled to board before continuing to Riyadh. ## Approach and Impact After being cleared for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 18, the crew continued the descent in relatively good weather conditions. During the final approach, the aircraft descended below the glide path and struck the surface of Lake Bourget, crashing approximately one kilometer short of the runway. ## Occupant Response and Aircraft Condition All five occupants evacuated the cabin and entered water with a temperature of 4°C. The aircraft lost its tail section and sank to a depth of 33 meters. The stewardess sustained a broken arm. ## Official Findings The investigation attributed the impact with the water to a loss of visual references during the final approach. The crew voluntarily brought the aircraft beneath the ILS glide slope in an area affected by mist and failed to decide to execute a missed approach.

Probable cause

The impact with the water was the result of a loss of visual references during final approach during which the crew voluntarily brought the plane beneath the ILS glide slope, in an area affected by mist, on one hand and on the other hand due the failure to decide to execute a missed approach.
Controlled flight into terrain

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Feb 1998 Gulfstream GIII accident near Chambéry-Aix-les-Bains, France?

An aircraft crashed into Lake Bourget one kilometer short of runway 18 at Chambéry after descending below the ILS glide slope. All five occupants evacuated into 4°C water; the aircraft sank to 33 meters.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Feb 1998 Gulfstream GIII accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Feb 1998 involved a Gulfstream GIII, registration VP-BLN, operated by Pegasus Aviation - Bermuda, at Chambéry-Aix-les-Bains, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The impact with the water was the result of a loss of visual references during final approach during which the crew voluntarily brought the plane beneath the ILS glide slope, in an area affected by mist, on one hand and on the other hand due the failure to decide to execute a missed approach.

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