What happened
On November 25, 2000, a CEA DR 1051, registration HB-EEP, departed from Bex aerodrome for a VFR flight over the Alps. The pilot was flying solo. While navigating the Verbier ski area, the aircraft struck the signal cable of the "Les Attelas – Mont Gelé" cable car system. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude, appearing to bank right before the left wing made contact with the cable. The impact severed a portion of the left wing and dislodged a red signaling sphere. Following the collision, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled left-hand spiral, descending almost vertically to the ground. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the site near Tête des Vaux. The investigation established that the aircraft's engine and mechanical systems were functioning normally at the time of the accident. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within prescribed limits. While the pilot had a history of a stroke in 1998, medical experts concluded there was no evidence of sudden incapacitation or visual impairment that contributed to the crash. The investigation also noted that the pilot was flying toward the sun, which created significant glare, and the cables were largely in shadow against a rugged mountain backdrop.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision with the cable car signal cable resulting from inappropriate flight tactics.
- The pilot was flying at a low altitude in a region with numerous overhead obstacles.
- Environmental factors, including sun glare and the difficulty of detecting thin cables against dark, rocky terrain, made the obstacle nearly impossible to perceive until it was too late.
- The impact caused a severe aerodynamic imbalance, leading to the loss of control.