What happened
On February 16, 1997, a private Jodel D 119 C aircraft, registered F-PHLC, was performing a local flight at the Saint-Sorlin glacier. Prior to landing, the pilot conducted a ten-minute reconnaissance of the landing site. During the landing sequence on the central part of the glacier, the aircraft's skis bounced four times against snowdrifts that were positioned perpendicular to the aircraft's flight path. While traveling at a low speed, the skis became lodged in a snowdrift, causing the aircraft to pitch forward and undergo an inversion.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the surface conditions of the glacier, which sat at an altitude of 2,950 meters. The terrain consisted of a 20% slope covered in crusty snow. Investigators established that recent wind activity had created a series of snowdrifts, averaging 30 centimeters in height, spaced approximately 30 meters apart. Although the pilot had assessed the visibility, wind, and snow conditions as satisfactory for landing, the physical characteristics of the snowdrifts contributed to the loss of control.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to perceive the snowdrifts during the landing approach.
- The aircraft sustained minor damage during the event.
- There were no fatalities among the two occupants on board.