Accident Details
On 17 December 1962, at approximately 1530 hours, a Piper Cub J3C (registration HB-OAV) departed from Sion for a personal reconnaissance flight. The pilot was enrolled in a glacier landing course at the time. The weather was clear, but strong northerly winds prevailed in the region of the Grand Saint Bernard.
Flight History
While flying north of the Col de Menouve, the pilot crossed the ridge between Pointe de Molines (3033 m) and Pointe des Rayons de la Madeleine (3051 m) from north to south. Upon reaching the southern slope, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude due to descending winds. The pilot turned back and attempted to cross the ridge from south to north. At an altitude estimated to be around the ridge height, the aircraft encountered severe gusts and was forced to the ground. The impact occurred near the Col de Menouve, on the southern slope, approximately 10 meters from the Italian-Swiss border at an elevation of 2915 m.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained minor injuries to his right leg and left wrist. He was initially 100% incapacitated until 14 February 1963, and later suffered 50% incapacity. The aircraft was lightly damaged; the estimated damage was about 10% of its value. The aircraft was recovered on 9 January 1963 by a heavy helicopter.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot had sufficient mountain flying experience but failed to employ the proper technique for crossing a pass. The pilot did not follow the recommended diagonal approach, which would have allowed an easier escape if conditions deteriorated. Instead, he attempted to cross the ridge at a low altitude and encountered violent downdrafts and gusts, leading to a stall and subsequent collision with terrain. The commission concluded that the accident resulted from the pilot adopting a poor flight tactic when crossing a pass in strong winds.