The French Téléphérique de l'Aiguille du Midi connects the peak of Aiguille du Midi to the village of Chamonix, while the Italian Skyway Monte Bianco (Funivie Monte Bianco) connects the peak of Pointe Helbronner to the village of La Palud, just north of Courmayeur. On 29 August 1961, the cable car was badly damaged when a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak of the French "Armée de l'Air" tore its hauling cable. Three cars crashed and six people were killed. Pilot Bernard Ziegler landed his damaged plane safely. The upward cable was undamaged, but 81 riders had to wait many hours for rescue. On September 8, 2016 110 people were stranded when the cable cars stopped. They needed to be evacuated by helicopter.