Fatal Accident (2) – Piper PA-18A-150 Super Cub, F-BAYP, near Méribel-les-Allues, Savoie, France, January 21, 2025
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available
SOURCE Report:
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at approximately 4:55 PM local time, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub collided with two tandem paragliders during a flight near Méribel-les-Allues in Savoie, France. Following the mid-air collision, the aircraft crashed onto the roof of an unoccupied chalet along Route de la Renarde in the Méribel 1600 area. The aircraft’s two occupants, a 58-year-old pilot and a 26-year-old co-pilot, both succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The tandem paragliders, despite being involved in the collision, were able to deploy emergency parachutes and landed in trees without suffering major injuries.
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub registered as F-BAYP, a model popular among aviation enthusiasts for its versatility and historical significance. The 58-year-old pilot, a highly experienced commercial airline captain originally from the Paris region, was accompanied by his 26-year-old co-pilot, who worked for a Belgian airline. Witness accounts describe seeing skis falling from the aircraft before the collision, followed by the paragliders’ descent into the trees. These observations align with the aircraft’s structural damage during the incident.
Emergency services, including 45 firefighters and several medical and law enforcement personnel, responded promptly to the crash. Rescue operations were hindered by structural concerns related to the roof of the chalet, which had been compromised by the impact. To address these challenges, specialized equipment such as a crane was used during the extraction of the victims. A kerosene fuel leak from the aircraft further complicated the rescue efforts, though no fire was reported at the scene.
The paragliders involved in the collision were shaken but remained physically unharmed. Both individuals were treated on-site by medical teams for psychological shock. Their tandem equipment and emergency response played a crucial role in their survival, as they landed away from the crash site in forested areas.
Local authorities, led by the Albertville prosecutor’s office, have initiated a judicial inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the collision. Additionally, the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA) is conducting an independent investigation to uncover potential contributory factors, including pilot decision-making, air traffic coordination, and weather conditions at the time of the incident.
The chalet struck by the aircraft was unoccupied, sparing any additional casualties. However, the local community has been deeply affected by the accident, prompting the establishment of a psychological support unit to assist witnesses and families of the victims. Residents of Méribel who witnessed the crash described the event as surreal and unsettling, highlighting the unexpected nature of the collision in an otherwise peaceful ski resort setting.
While the cause of the collision remains undetermined, investigators are examining multiple factors, including the altitudes and trajectories of the aircraft and paragliders, visibility conditions, and potential communication gaps. The findings from this inquiry are expected to contribute to safety measures for aviation and recreational air sports in the region.
This incident has sparked widespread discussions among aviation and paragliding communities, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols and airspace management to prevent similar occurrences. The legacy of the Piper PA-18 as a renowned aircraft contrasts sharply with the tragic outcome of this flight, underscoring the complexity and unpredictability of shared airspace operations.
Aircraft Operator:
Private
Video(s):
n/a
Accident Location:
near Méribel-les-Allues, Savoie, France
45°23’38.03″N 6°33’59.29″E (https://g.co/kgs/PBB4o6m)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/472314
Registration (🇫🇷 France):
F-BAYP
Year of Manufacture:
1956
Construction Number:
185-486
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
18-5486
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CoolSkiJobs/posts/1170520724641004?ref=embed_post
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/ivancp25/status/1881990074893754383
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/FBAYP
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
https://www.airnavradar.com/data/registration/4K-AZ65
National Report(s):
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq1zdj858qo
https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/krushenie-samoleta-v-aktau-poyavilis-novyie-kadryi-557945/
Local Report(s):
https://c.ledauphine.com/faits-divers-justice/2025/01/21/un-avion-de-tourisme-se-crashe-dans-le-toit-d-un-chalet-a-meribel-les-allues
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/meribel-collision-entre-un-ulm-et-deux-parapentistes-35-pompiers-engages-2820860
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/two-dead-after-ultralight-aircraft-crash-at-mribelles-allues-155304
Image Reference(s):
https://c.ledauphine.com/faits-divers-justice/2025/01/21/un-avion-de-tourisme-se-crashe-dans-le-toit-d-un-chalet-a-meribel-les-allues
https://www.facebook.com/CoolSkiJobs/posts/1170520724641004?ref=embed_post
http://tagazous.free.fr/affichage2.php?img=33818
https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/18994/fsx-mont-blanc-piper-super-cub-final-version/
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