Jodel D140 veers off snow runway after landing bounce

Casualties unknown • FR

A flight training aircraft experienced a bounce and subsequent lateral excursion on a snowy altisurface in Val Thorens, resulting in a collision with runway markers.

What happened

On March 17, 2014, a Jodel D140, registration F-PNIV, was conducting a flight training mission departing from the Méribel altisurface. During the approach to runway 10 at the Val Thorens altisurface, the aircraft's glidepath was compromised due to an excessive reduction in power. This caused the aircraft to fly slightly below the intended approach slope, making it difficult for the crew to visually identify the runway centerline.

The aircraft made contact with the snow surface to the right of the runway axis. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced and began to slide toward the right. The crew was unable to correct the lateral deviation, leading the aircraft to veer off the prepared surface and strike several metal stakes located at the edge of the altisurface. The aircraft sustained light damage, and there were no injuries to the student pilot or the instructor.

The investigation

The investigation examined the flight profiles, the experience of the crew, and the specific characteristics of the Val Thorens altisurface. The instructor was highly qualified, holding a CPL(A) with mountain ratings for both wheels and skis, and possessed over 1,000 total flight hours. The student pilot held a PPL(A) and was authorized to operate at the Méribel site.

Investigators analyzed the runway surface, noting that the Val Thorens strip is a 400-meter by 20-meter snow runway. The right side of the runway features a lateral slope (cross-slope) toward the right during the landing roll. Additionally, the investigation noted that the metal stakes marking the runway boundaries are not perfectly straight and are more closely spaced on the right side near the middle of the runway.

Findings

Several factors contributed to the excursion:

  • The reduction in engine power during the final approach caused the aircraft to fly below the glidepath, which obscured the visibility of the runway centerline.
  • The aircraft landed to the right of the runway axis, where the surface featured a rightward cross-slope.
  • The wide, groomed area of the snow surface created a visual illusion, making the runway appear significantly wider than its actual 20-meter width.

Probable cause

The aircraft drifted off the runway centerline due to a loss of glidepath visibility following excessive power reduction, which subsequently led to a loss of directional control on a sloped, snowy surface.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-03-17 Jodel D140 accident near FR?

A flight training aircraft experienced a bounce and subsequent lateral excursion on a snowy altisurface in Val Thorens, resulting in a collision with runway markers.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-03-17 involved a Jodel D140, registration F-PNIV, at FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft drifted off the runway centerline due to a loss of glidepath visibility following excessive power reduction, which subsequently led to a loss of directional control on a sloped, snowy surface.

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