What happened
On June 1, 2023, at approximately 13:00 local time, a Piper Aircraft Corporation, PA-18 "150", registered as HB-ORV, was involved in an accident in France. The aircraft, operated by Lausanne Aeroclub, was conducting a training flight under visual flight rules (VFR). The flight originated from the ALS Notre-Dame de la Salette landing site in the Isère region and was intended to terminate at Gap-Tallard airport (LFNA).
During the takeoff phase from the mountain landing site, the aircraft struck trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. There were two occupants on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, but no injuries or fatalities were reported, and no third parties were involved.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) provided notification of the occurrence, noting that the accident took place on French territory. Following the event, the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile (BEA) initiated the formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.