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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
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sabadell - Pamplona
MSN:
62P-0897-8165027
YOM:
1981
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 Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage off Ibiza
Date & Time:
Apr 30, 2007 at 1735 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-IQX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madrid - Ibiza
MSN:
46-22181
YOM:
1995
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
480.00
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport at 1617LT with 3 passengers and one pilot on board. Following a flight at FL230, the pilot contacted Palma ARTCC and was cleared to descend to FL130. Few minutes later, the engine torque dropped while the temperature of the turbine increased. The pilot tried several times to troubleshoot the fuel supply system and checked the fuel selector as well, but the situation did not change. While descending to 9,000 feet, the IAS was 80 knots only. At 1722LT, the pilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency before continuing the descent. As he realized he could not reach Palma Airport, the pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft in the Mediterranean Sea. The aircraft landed in the sea about 27,7 km north of the Ibiza Island and came to rest. All four occupants were quickly rescued and were uninjured while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Due to the lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of power/engine failure was the consequence of a technical failure of the fuel supply system was not ruled out.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Valdepeñas
Date & Time:
Jan 9, 1999 at 0920 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EC-EZN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Valdepeñas – Alicante
MSN:
LD-205
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Valdepeñas Airport runway 08, while in initial climb, both engines lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located 3 km from the airfield. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both engines stopped simultaneously due to a fuel exhaustion. Investigations revealed that the aircraft remained parked at Valdepeñas Airport for five days without surveillance and it is believed that the fuel was stolen from the tanks. The pilot failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and failed to realize the tanks were empty before departure. Nevertheless, he reported to the investigators that the fuel gauges were intermittently failing.
