What happened
On January 20, 2002, a privately operated Jodel D 113 amateur-built aircraft, registered F-PYER, was engaged in a series of landing practice sessions at various high-altitude airfields. The pilot had previously completed several landings at Cirès, Hontey-de, and Pène de Soulit before arriving at the Barèges altisurface.
Following a landing at Barèges, the pilot attempted an immediate takeoff by performing a left turn on the turnaround platform. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted to the right of the runway centerline, becoming parallel to the runway and positioned approximately four meters outside the groomed surface. As the aircraft entered the slope, the pilot found it impossible to abort the takeoff or return to the groomed portion of the runway. In an attempt to maintain control, the pilot applied full power to proceed with the takeoff. The aircraft subsequently slid down the 27% slope, bounced, and struck rocks and a bush before coming to a rest 100 meters downslope.
The investigation
The investigation examined the state of the airfield and the aircraft's path. Evidence of ski tracks on the ungroomed section of the turnaround platform indicated that the aircraft had passed near the edges of the prepared area. At the time of the accident, the Barèges altisurface was covered in snow, with the groomed runway measuring 200 meters in length and 23 meters in width. The runway lacked markings, though the upper part of the turnaround platform was visible. The investigation also noted that the turnaround platform itself had a 3% gradient.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the lateral excursion from the runway during takeoff maneuvers.
- The pilot's attention was momentarily distracted by the presence of a skier near the edge of the turnaround platform.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, propeller, and vertical stabilizer.
- The steep gradient of the terrain (up to 27%) contributed to the inability to recover the aircraft once it left the groomed surface.