2006 Chambéry Mont-du-Chat accident involving EADS SOCATA TB20 GT N250AG

Overview and flight details On the afternoon of Monday, 16 January 2006, the pilot of an EADS SOCATA TB20 GT “Trinidad” with registration N250AG filed an IFR flight plan for a planned departure at 17:00 UTC. The aircraft had been used for a three-day mountain flying course at Méribel. The pilot arrived at Chambéry Aix Les Bains aerodrome with three passengers around 17:30 UTC. It was dark, and snow had begun to fall. The pilot completed the preflight inspection and boarded the passengers. At 17:54 UTC, the pilot contacted the control tower and requested engine start. The aircraft left the general aviation parking area at 18:00 UTC and took off from runway 36 at 18:12 UTC. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a mountain located 2.7 NM northwest of the aerodrome at an altitude of 2,100 feet. ## Casualties and damage The accident resulted in the deaths of the pilot and three passengers. The aircraft was destroyed. ## Aircraft and operator information The aircraft was an EADS SOCATA TB20 GT “Trinidad,” serial number 2056, first placed into service on 5 June 2001, and had a valid certificate of airworthiness. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540 SER engine. The aircraft was authorized for IFR flight outside icing conditions and was equipped with VHF/NAV/ILS systems, DME, ADF, GPS, a multifunction color display, transponder, and an automatic pilot. The pilot was a 44-year-old male and co-owner of the aircraft. He held a PPL(A) license and a valid SEP rating. His instrument rating, obtained in the United States in 2004, was valid but had not been converted in France. The three passengers held valid PPL(A) licenses but did not hold instrument ratings. ## Weather and navigation The accident occurred in deteriorating weather. The 18:00 UTC METAR for Chambéry Aix Les Bains reported visibility of 3,600 meters, mist, snow, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, and broken clouds at 4,000 feet. A TEMSI chart at 18:00 UTC indicated moderate icing in the Chambéry area and a 0 °C isotherm at level 50. The ILS and DME at the aerodrome were functioning at the time of the accident. A preceding IFR departure two minutes earlier reported no problems. The VOR DME stations LSE and LTP were masked by terrain and unusable for guidance on the ground or during initial climb from Chambéry.