Crete De Brouffiers Altiport

The primary reason for closure was safety, prompted by a fatal accident. On July 1, 1999, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2 Porter aircraft (registration F-GSBF) crashed during a go-around attempt after a failed landing approach. The accident, which resulted in the death of the pilot and a passenger, highlighted the extreme operational difficulty of the altiport. The investigation by the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) pointed to the challenging combination of a very steep runway (gradient around 25%), high altitude (approx. 2150m / 7050ft), a narrow ridge location, and unpredictable mountain weather conditions. Authorities deemed the site too hazardous for continued operations.

The site of the former altiport has been completely reclaimed by nature. There are no longer any airport facilities, markings, or infrastructure. The former runway is now just a grassy and rocky mountain ridge that is part of the Alpe du Grand Serre ski area. In winter, the area is used for off-piste skiing. In summer, it is a destination for hikers, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Alps. The location is identifiable on satellite imagery, but on the ground, it is indistinguishable from the surrounding mountain terrain.

Crete De Brouffiers was a classic French mountain airfield, or 'altiport', built to support tourism for the Alpe du Grand Serre ski resort. Active mainly from the 1970s through the 1990s, it was a prime example of the specialized airfields constructed in the Alps to provide rapid access and unique experiences for tourists and skiers. Operations were limited to specially-equipped STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, most notably the Pilatus Porter and Jodel D140 Mousquetaire, flown by highly skilled mountain pilots. The altiport's main functions were:
- **Scenic Flights:** Offering breathtaking tours over the surrounding Ecrins massif.
- **Skier Transport:** Dropping skiers at the summit for off-piste descents, similar to a heli-skiing operation.
- **Passenger Transport:** Flying visitors directly to and from the resort.
It was renowned among the aviation community as one of the most technically demanding and dangerous altiports in Europe due to its one-way, steeply sloped runway located on an exposed mountain crest.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Crete De Brouffiers Altiport. Reopening is considered virtually impossible for several reasons:
- **Safety:** The inherent dangers that led to its closure remain. Modern aviation safety standards are far more stringent, and certifying such a hazardous airfield for any form of public transport would be unfeasible.
- **Liability:** The fatal accident creates a strong precedent against its use.
- **Economic Viability:** The cost of rebuilding, maintaining, and insuring such a facility would be prohibitive for the limited seasonal traffic it could support.
The site will almost certainly remain a part of the natural mountain landscape.