What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-01-16 involved a TB20, registration EC-ESK, at Beamuz (Cuenca), ES.

SOCATA TB-20 Crash in Serranía de Cuenca Following Vulture Strike (EC-ESK)

On January 16, 2016, a TB20 (registration EC-ESK) was involved in an aviation accident near Beamuz (Cuenca), ES. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The investigation has determined that this accident was caused by the loss of control of the aircraft following the loss of part of the left wing after an impact with a vulture. This summary draws on records from the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).

Sourcesthe Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC)Primary reportUpdated 1785679985Data API Editorial standards

On 16 January 2016, a SOCATA TB-20 aircraft, registration EC-ESK, struck a griffon vulture while flying over the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park. The impact caused part of the left wing to detach, leading to loss of control and a crash into wooded terrain. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Flight History

On Saturday, 16 January 2016, a SOCATA TB-20 aircraft, registration EC-ESK, operated by a private operator, departed from Pajares de los Oteros aerodrome (León) at 09:26 local time on a visual flight to Mutxamel aerodrome (Alicante), where it landed at 11:36. The pilot and his family planned to return to León in the afternoon, and the aircraft took off from Mutxamel at 15:47 as per the flight plan. While flying over the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park, a griffon vulture struck the leading edge of the left wing. Part of the wing detached and fell to the ground along with the remains of the bird. The pilot lost control of the aircraft, which crashed into a wooded area seconds later. The accident is thought to have occurred at 16:47 local time, as the aircraft’s radar track was lost one second later. At the time, the aircraft was at an altitude of 6400 ft.

Injuries and Damage

The aircraft was completely destroyed. The impact with the ground and trees killed all four occupants: one pilot and three passengers. A small fire broke out in the area where the main wreckage was found, but no other damage occurred.

Personnel and Aircraft Information

The pilot, a 50-year-old Spanish national, held a private pilot license (PPL(A)) issued by AESA on 25 June 2010, valid until 31 December 2016. He also held a single-engine piston (land) class rating and a daytime visual flight rating. The aircraft was a SOCATA TB-20, registration EC-ESK, owned and operated privately.

Meteorological and Other Conditions

Meteorological information from the source is not specified beyond the flight being conducted under visual flight rules daytime (VFR-HJ). No information on aids to navigation, communications, or flight recorders is provided. The wreckage was found in a wooded area within the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the loss of control of the aircraft following the loss of part of the left wing after an impact with a vulture. No other causes or contributing factors were stated.

Probable cause

The investigation has determined that this accident was caused by the loss of control of the aircraft following the loss of part of the left wing after an impact with a vulture.

2016-01-16: TB20 (EC-ESK) — Beamuz (Cuenca), ES