Factual Information
On 29 January 2021 at 14:03 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181, registration EC-JMT, operated by Real Aeroclub de Tenerife, was conducting a dual instruction flight from La Gomera Airport to Tenerife Norte Airport under visual flight rules. The crew consisted of an instructor and a student pilot. During the flight, the instructor decided to simulate an emergency landing due to a simulated engine failure on a road open to vehicle traffic. While executing this maneuver, the aircraft collided with a medium-voltage power line. According to the instructor, there was no loss of control and the flight continued normally.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants were uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the vertical stabilizer. The power line was severed.
Investigation and Safety Recommendations
The Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) investigated. The accident report stated the cause as the execution of a maneuver below permitted altitude limits, unauthorized and contrary to safety, consisting of simulating a landing on a highway at 25 meters above ground. On 22 February 2021, the CIAIAC issued two urgent safety recommendations: REC 04/21 to Real Aeroclub de Tenerife to prevent unauthorized dangerous maneuvers, and REC 05/21 to the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) to increase oversight. AESA conducted an inspection on 8 July 2021, detecting non-compliances and issuing a temporary suspension of flight instruction. On 27 July, proceedings began to suspend the ATO's authorization. REC 05/21 was closed on 29 September 2021 after satisfactory evidence.