No fatalities

Aircraft accident during takeoff from Dôme Plateau (HB-FAZ)

Mont-Blanc, FranceTakeoff (climb)

On September 1, 1961, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) (registration HB-FAZ) operated by Air Alpes was involved in an aviation accident near Mont-Blanc, France during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was struck by a downdraft during its takeoff roll, leading to the crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft sustained heavy damage after encountering a downdraft during its departure from the Dôme Plateau.

What happened

During an attempt to depart from the Dôme Plateau, located at an elevation of 4,300 meters, an aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The incident occurred while the plane was in the takeoff phase of flight.

As the aircraft ascended, it encountered severe atmospheric conditions that led to a crash. While the impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were no fatalities reported. The occupants, consisting of the pilot and one passenger, sustained slight injuries during the event.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was an encounter with a downdraft during the takeoff sequence, which forced the aircraft into the ground.

Probable cause

The aircraft was struck by a downdraft during its takeoff roll, leading to the crash.