What happened
A private flight departed from Cannes-Mandelieu Airport with one pilot and two passengers on board. The purpose of the flight was to fulfill training requirements necessary for the pilot to maintain access to the Courchevel Altiport. During the approach, the pilot executed a right-hand base leg and configured the single-engine airplane for landing on runway 22.
As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the altimeter indicated an altitude near the threshold, prompting the pilot to level off. Shortly before touchdown, a stall warning activated. In response, the pilot increased engine power, but the power was subsequently reduced entirely. During the descent, the landing gear struck an embankment located above the runway threshold, causing the undercarriage to be torn from the aircraft.
Following the impact with the embankment, the aircraft briefly lifted before descending back onto the runway surface. The plane slid approximately 100 meters along the runway before coming to a stop, at which point a fire broke out on the right side of the fuselage. The pilot and one passenger evacuated through the rear door and successfully pulled the third passenger from the wreckage. The rear passenger, who was unconscious, succumbed to their injuries a few minutes later, resulting in one fatality and two survivors.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power during the final moments of the landing approach.
- The impact with an embankment above the runway threshold caused the separation of the undercarriage.