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Castile-La Mancha

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Sotillo de las Palomas: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 2016 at 1617 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
PA Scale Company of Florida
Registration:
N79CT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Madrid – Cascais
MSN:
LW-303
YOM:
1979
Location:
Sotillo de las Palomas
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport on a private flight to Cascais, Portugal, carrying three passengers and one pilot. One of the reasons for the flight was to repair the weather radar at a Portuguese maintenance center that specialized in this equipment. The pilot had to delay the takeoff until 1557LT due to bad weather conditions. The aerodrome of Cuatros Vietnos was in instrument conditions (IMC), which forced its closing from 0900LT until 1444LT. At 1615LT, the aircraft was en route, climbing from flight level 190 to its authorized cruise level of 210. Moments later, according to a detailed analysis of the data taken from the radar, there was a yaw to the left, and the aircraft started to turn in this direction and suddenly lose altitude. After this event, the airspeed fell quickly and gradually until the aircraft stalled. The aircraft went into a spin, which after some time turned into a flat spin. As the airplane descended out of control, and with the spin fully developped, loads were placed on the horizontal tail that exceeded the design loads, causing the tail to break up in flight into five parts before the aircraft impacted the ground. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the impact and sibsequent fire, and its four occupants were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
The investigation has concluded that this accident was caused by the loss of control of the aircraft in flight due to a stall and subsequent spin. Due to the high degree of destruction of the aircraft's wreckage after the ground impact and subsequent fire, and the lack of other pertinent data to do so, it has not been possible to determine with precision the sequence of the process leading to the aircraft stall/spin.
The investigation identified the following contributing factors:
- The decision to make the flight with adverse meteorological conditions (IMC) along the planned route, considering the fact that the weather radar was not operational.
- The forecast of moderate to strong icing conditions in areas of the route (presence of cumulonimbus with caps of up to 35,000 feet and with temperatures between -17°C and -19°C at flight level FL180) suggests that the formation of ice or its accumulation on the aircraft has been a significant contributory factor in this accident
- The use of the autopilot and the failure to disengage it when the emergency situation arose, as it is concluded from the detailed analysis of the radar data, could have contributed significantly to the process that resulted in the loss of control of the aircraft.
- The inadequate training of the pilot (who lacked the type rating for the accident aircraft) in abnormal or emergency situations on the accident aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter in Lillo: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 2008 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
EC-JXH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lillo - Lillo
MSN:
700
YOM:
1969
Location:
Lillo
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1100
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Aircraft flight hours:
15833
Aircraft flight cycles:
26931
Circumstances:
The airplane had taken off from runway 30 at the Lillo (Toledo) Aerodrome for a local parachute drop. On board were the pilot and 10 skydivers, six of whom consisted of instructor-student pairs doing tandem jumps. When at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet and having sounded the acoustic signal indicating two minutes to go before the jump, the airplane was subjected to an instantaneous and sharp negative acceleration that pushed two occupants against the ceiling of the aircraft. As soon as the airplane regained a normal attitude, the left wing fractured and detached. As a result, the airplane started to fall to the ground. Nine of the parachutists were ejected out and were able to open their parachutes at a sufficient enough altitude to land normally. The airplane eventually impacted the ground and burst into flames at a site located 4.5 km north of the aerodrome. The fire destroyed the area between the firewall and the aft end of the passenger cabin. The pilot and one parachutist were unable to exit the aircraft and died on impact. Several components, including the detached wing and its control surfaces, as well as part of the horizontal stabilizer, were thrown off and found between 1.5 km and 2.5 km to the northeast of the main crash site.
Probable cause:
The accident took place as the aircraft was entering an area of strong turbulence inside a storm. The aircraft was turning left to align with the heading used for the parachuting run, and as a result of the turn both the wing and the tail were subjected to loads in excess of design loads. This caused several of their components to fracture, resulting in the detachment of the left wing and the horizontal stabilizer. Contributing significantly to the accident is the fact that neither the company that operated the aircraft nor the jump supervisors were aware of the violent storm present to the north of the aerodrome, exactly over the area where the flight and the skydiving activity were going to take place.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Casas de Los Pinos

Date & Time: Apr 14, 2007 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Aerobalas
Registration:
EC-JOE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Casas de Los Pinos - Casas de Los Pinos
MSN:
705
YOM:
1969
Location:
Casas de Los Pinos
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
650
Captain / Total hours on type:
138.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9046
Circumstances:
The aircraft ran off runway 30 at the Casas de los Pinos aerodrome while landing. The aircraft, used for parachuting operations, was making a reconnaissance flight before the parachuting flights, which were scheduled for later. According to the pilot's statement, during the flare, and before touching down, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The pilot used left rudder and tilt to try to level the aircraft, but could not keep it from exiting the runway. As stated by the pilot, the approach was performed without flaps, at a speed of 70 knots and with the aft gear locked. The aircraft ended up 25 metres from the edge of the runway on a heading of 190°, resting on its lower fuselage, which was damaged along its underside, as were the left aileron and the horizontal stabilizer. The right main landing gear was bent outward, the left gear had detached and was 30 metres away from the aircraft, and the propeller had detached at the reduction gearbox and was next to the aft landing gear to the left of the aircraft. Both occupants were able to exit the aircraft under their own power. The pilot received a slight injury to his chin and the passenger was unhurt.
Probable cause:
It is not known why aircraft EC-JOE left runway 30 during the landing, though it seems obvious that the aircraft's path was altered while it was flying at a low altitude. The possibility that a technical problem with the aircraft caused the accident has been ruled out. It has not been possible to confirm if the wind was gusting at the aerodrome at the time of the accident, though even gusty conditions should not have affected control of the aircraft since its airspeed was high enough with respect to the stall speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Albacete

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2004 at 1855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Aérea - Escuela de Pilotos
Registration:
EC-CTG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Biscarosse – Alicante
MSN:
31P-7530017
YOM:
1975
Location:
Albacete-Los Llanos AFB
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2700
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2490
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Biscarosse Airport, Landes, at 1629LT, on a private flight to Alicante, carrying five passengers and one pilot. At 1840LT, while descending to Alicante, the pilot contacted ATC and reported a low fuel situation. After being vectored to Albacete-Los Llanos AFB, he modified his route and started the descent for an approach to runway 09. Four minutes later, at an altitude of 3,000 feet and a distance of 8 NM, he declared an emergency following an engine failure. Two minutes later, the aircraft crashed near Chinchilla, about 10 km southeast of the airport. All six occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. This situation was probably the consequence of an incorrect fuel consumption calculation prior to departure, combined with a possible over-consumption in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Casa 212-DE Aviocar 100 near Cubillejo: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 2000 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Casa 212 Aviocar
Operator:
Registration:
TM.12D-73
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Seville - Zaragoza
MSN:
314
YOM:
1983
Location:
Cubillejo
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Cubillejo. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Valdepeñas

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1999 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
EC-EZN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Valdepeñas – Alicante
MSN:
LD-205
YOM:
1965
Location:
Valdepeñas
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
100
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.

Crash of a De Havilland C-7A Caribou in Horcajo de los Montes

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1984
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland C-7A Caribou
Operator:
Registration:
T.9-15
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
19
YOM:
1960
Location:
Horcajo de los Montes
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine caught fire in-flight, forcing the crew to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in a prairie and came to rest. All nine occupants were rescued, among them two were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 near Cañaveruelas: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1981 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-215
Operator:
Registration:
UD.13-2
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Torrejón - Torrejón
MSN:
1013
YOM:
1969
Location:
Cañaveruelas
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission out from Madrid-Torrejón AFB. After performing a scooping mission on Lake Embalse de Buendía, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Cañaveruelas. All four crew members, three pilots and a mechanic, were killed.
Crew:
Lt Fernando Esteban Baturone,
Lt Aurelio Gil Laso,
Alf Eduardo Javier Moreno Jiménez,
Sgt Santiago García García.

Crash of a Boeing 747-131F in Huete: 17 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1976 at 1535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 747-100
Operator:
Registration:
5-283
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Tehran - Madrid - McGuire
MSN:
19677/73
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
ULF48
Location:
Huete
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a military logistic flight from Tehran to McGuire AFB via Madrid, carrying Iranian and US officers. The flight took off from Tehran at 08:20 GMT and climbed to a cruising altitude of FL330. After establishing contact with Madrid control, clearance was received to CPL VOR via Castejon. At 14:25 the flight was cleared to FL100. At 14:30 the crew advised Madrid that they were diverting to the left because of thunderstorm activity, and at 14:32 Madrid cleared ULF48 to 5,000 feet and directed him to contact Madrid approach control. At 14:33 the crew contacted approach control and advised them that there was too much weather activity ahead and requested to be vectored around it. Last radio contact was when ULF48 acknowledged the 260° heading instructions and informed Madrid that they were descending to 5,000 feet. The aircraft was later found to have crashed in farmland at 3,000 feet msl following left wing separation. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 17 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
After analyzing all of the available evidence, it is concluded that the most probable sequence of events which culminated with multiple structural failures and separation of the wing began with an ignition of the fuel vapors in the n°1 fuel tank. The damage to the structure in the area of the tank provided positive indications of an explosion. The possibility that the explosion was a secondary result of structural failure caused by excessive aerodynamics forces developed during high velocity gusts and turbulence cannot be completely dismissed; however, the evidence and the probabilities of an aircraft's encountering these unique environmental conditions make this hypothesis less supportable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Cabanillas del Campo: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
60-0368
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mildenhall - Madrid
MSN:
18143/482
YOM:
1961
Location:
Cabanillas del Campo
Castile-La Mancha
Country:
Spain
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
5481
Circumstances:
While descending to Torrejón Airbase by night and limited visibility, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in Cabanillas del Campo, about 22 km northeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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