Zone

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 602P) in Pamplona: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 2020 at 1819 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-HRJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sabadell - Pamplona
MSN:
62P-0897-8165027
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
3049
Circumstances:
On Thursday, 20 February 2020, the Piper PA-60-602P aircraft, with registration EC-HRJ, took off from Sabadell Airport (LELL) bound for Pamplona Airport (LEPP). At 17:51:43 hours local time, when the aircraft was in the vicinity of the SURCO waypoint, a sudden change in course from 300º to 317º was observed on the aircraft's radar trace. Moments later, at 17:53:12, the pilot of the aircraft contacted the Madrid air control units to report problems with one of his engines, adding verbatim: “I’m not sure if I’ve lost the turbo”. In a subsequent communication with the same air traffic controller, at 17:57:22 h, the pilot stated: "I’ve lost an engine”. At 17:57:58 h, the pilot contacted the controller of the Pamplona control tower. The controller asked him if he required any assistance, and the pilot replied that he did not. At 18:16:15 h, the pilot told the control tower controller that he was on right base for runway 33. The controller cleared him to land and asked him to notify him when he was on final. At 18:19:40 h, the control tower controller alerted the airport Fire Extinguishing Service (SEI) when he saw the aircraft crash and a column of smoke coming from the wreckage area. The aircraft had impacted the ground during the final approach manoeuvre. As it fell, it hit and severed a power line. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was killed during the accident. The impact and subsequent fire completely destroyed the aircraft.
Probable cause:
The investigation concluded the probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft lost control on final approach to runway 33 as a result of flying with asymmetrical power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Pamplona: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 2006 at 1648 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-JAX
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Madrid - Pamplona
MSN:
421C-0337
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1771
Captain / Total hours on type:
520.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
460
Aircraft flight hours:
3518
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Madrid-Torrejón AFB on a charter flight to Pamplona with 4 businessmen and a crew of two on board. While descending to Pamplona-Noain Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. Unable to establish a visual contact with runway 15, the crew initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while flying at an insufficient altitude, the aircraft impacted ground and crashed in a hilly terrain located in the Sierra de Tajonar, near the village of Labiano. The copilot and a passenger were killed while all other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The crew did not establish a visual contact with the runway and initiated a go-around procedure during which approximations were noted in the flight techniques adopted by the pilots who continued the flight in unstable conditions. As a result, the aircraft was 16 ° off the prescribed path and was flying at an insufficient altitude.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The wind did not correspond to the component reported in the bulletin published for the destination airport, which affected the aircraft flight path,
- The total weight of the airplane was higher than the allowable limit and the CofG was out of permissible limits, reducing the aircraft's performances and its maneuverability,
- The pilots did not have sufficient experience in instrument flight conditions,
- The lack of clear procedures within the operator,
- The lack of supervision from the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority regarding the activities of the operator.
Final Report: