Accident
A single-engine aircraft departed Alpe d'Huez Aerodrome with one pilot and two employees from Europe 1: journalist Francis Lauga and sound engineer Pierre Nicoli. The occupants intended to make a reportage about recent avalanches. While approaching the mountain located above Alpe d'Huez, the aircraft was caught by severe downdrafts and crashed in a rocky area at an altitude of 2,070 meters.
Casualties
One passenger was killed in the crash. Both other occupants were seriously injured. Few hours later, they died from their injuries. The deceased are pilot Mathieu Conti, sound engineer Pierre Nicoli, and journalist Francis Lauga.
Probable Cause
The official investigation stated the probable cause as loss of control due to severe downdrafts in altitude.