What happened
On May 2, 2011, a Jodel D140, registration F-BOPT, was performing a flight from Grenoble Le Versoud to the Alpe d'Huez altiport. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and two passengers. During the landing phase on the paved runway 06, the pilot was unable to maintain the aircraft on the centerline. As the aircraft rolled along the runway, it drifted to the left, eventually exiting the paved surface and colliding with trees.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's recent training and experience. It was noted that the pilot had received qualification for the specific site only one week prior to the accident. Furthermore, this landing at Alpe d'Huez marked the pilot's first solo approach at this location without the presence of an instructor.
Regarding flight experience, the pilot held a PPL(A) SEP license issued in 198．The pilot had a total of 221 flight hours, but only 12 of those hours were on this specific aircraft type. In the three months preceding the accident, the pilot had accumulated only 10 flight hours, all on this type. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were CAVOK with no wind and a temperature of 15 °C.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive rudder inputs used to control the direction of the aircraft during the landing roll.
- The pilot's limited experience with the specific aircraft type acted as a contributing factor to the loss of directional control.