Accident Overview
On 7 March 2016 at 11:19 local time, a Piper PA-18 '150' (registration HB-PBA) was involved in an accident on the Wildhorn Glacier at an altitude of approximately 3032 m. The flight was a training mission for mountain landings on skis, operated by the Aéro Club de Genève, Groupe de vol à moteur, and owned by the Groupe des Pilotes de Montagne Genève.
Flight Crew
The instructor, a Swiss citizen born 1965, held a commercial pilot licence (CPL(A)) and had 4856 total flight hours, with 899 hours on type. The student, a British citizen born 1980, held a private pilot licence (PPL(A)) and had 53 hours 11 minutes total flight time, with 15 hours 40 minutes on type.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed from Geneva Airport (LSGG) with a planned training program including landings on the Wildhorn and Petersgrat glaciers, a stop at Sion, and return to Geneva. Over the Wildhorn Glacier, the student performed high and medium reconnaissance, while the instructor executed low reconnaissance and two initial landings on a steep slope about 300 m southeast of the summit. The student then autonomously completed eight takeoffs and landings in the same tracks.
The instructor then pointed out a new landing spot approximately 750 m east of the Wildhorn summit. After medium and low reconnaissance, the instructor performed the first approach and landing there, followed by a takeoff. The student then executed the next approach, which was slightly high, but the instructor allowed it to continue; the landing was normal. During the left turn to take off again, the right ski struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.
Damage and Injuries
The collision caused rupture of the right landing gear leg. The aircraft was slightly damaged. Both occupants were not injured, and no other damage was reported.