What happened
On 3 July 1970, a Dan Air de Havilland Comet 4, registered as G-APDN, was operating a flight that ended in a fatal accident within the Sierra del Montseny range. The incident occurred specifically within the municipal district of Arbucias, located in the province of Gerona, Spain. The aircraft impacted mountainous terrain during its journey, resulting in a catastrophic outcome for all individuals on board.
The investigation
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash of G-APDN. The investigation examined the flight path, operational procedures, and environmental factors present at the time of the accident. Particular attention was paid to the geographical location of the impact site and the specific conditions that led to the loss of control or navigation failure in that region.
Findings
The primary causal factors identified relate to the aircraft's deviation from its intended flight path into the Sierra del Montseny mountains. G-APDN, a de Havilland Comet 4, was involved in this fatal accident. The investigation established that the crew failed to maintain safe separation from terrain, leading to the collision with the mountains in the Arbucias district. The operation resulted in total loss of the aircraft and fatalities among all on board.
Safety action
The provided source material does not contain specific details regarding subsequent safety recommendations or corrective actions taken by regulatory bodies or the operator following this incident.