02/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/16/2026 07:42
Bank strike before runway during landing, runway veer-off, in mountain flight
France - BEA
The pilot-in-command, accompanied by a co-pilot, lined up for final approach to land at Courchevel mountain airfield, where he planned to pick up passengers. All along the final approach, the speed was stabilised at 85 kt, corresponding to the reference speed for the PC-12 at Courchevel in the absence of wind. The pilot started the descent late. This forced him to adopt a steeper slope than the 5% slope recommended in the absence of wind with an aiming point corresponding to the middle of the bank located below the runway threshold. At 0.75 NM from the runway threshold, the aeroplane passed below the slope. The pilot then reduced the aeroplane's vertical speed and continued the approach below the slope. At 0.13 NM, the aeroplane passed below the runway threshold altitude. As the aeroplane approached the threshold, the pilot simultaneously substantially increased the aeroplane's attitude and reduced the engine power to idle. The landing gears collided with the bank.
| Local date | 17/02/2024 |
| Responsible entity | France - BEA |
| State or area of occurrence | France - 73 Savoie |
| Location | Courchevel ALP |
| Human consequences | None |
| Aircraft consequences | Substantial |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Occurence category | USOS: Undershoot/overshoot |
| File number | BEA2024-0047 |
| Aircraft category | Aeroplane - Small aeroplane |
| Operator | Belgium (European Aircraft Private Club (EAPC)) |
| Manufacturer / Model | PILATUS - PC12 |
| Aircraft Registration | OO-PCN |
| State of registry | Belgium |
| Last departure point | Belgium - EBCI (CRL) : Charleroi/Brussels South (Brussels South Charleroi Airport) |
| Planned destination | France - LFLJ (CVF) : Courchevel (Altiport) |
| Flight phase | Landing |
| Serial number | 1819 |
| Operator Type AG | Sales/rental/service |
| Operation Type | Non-Commercial Operations - Relocation - Positioning |
BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.