What happened
On February 20, 2005, a Socata Tampico TB 9, registration CN-TFC, departed from Valladolid Airport, Spain, on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight destined for Mimizan, France. Approximately one hour and five minutes into the flight, the aircraft struck the terrain in the Oja River valley, near Posadas in the La Rio and Sierra de la Demanda region.
The aircraft impacted a mountainside at an angle of approximately 45 degrees nose-down. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was carrying 110 kg of cannabis, which was later recovered by authorities.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the mechanical state of the engine. Investigators determined that the aircraft's transponder did not provide altitude data, but based on regional aeronautical charts and terrain elevations, it was estimated the aircraft was likely flying at a minimum of 7,500 ft.
Analysis of the wreckage indicated that the engine was not producing power at the moment of impact, suggesting a prior failure. The investigation also examined the position of the carburetor heat control, which was found in the 'cold' position. Furthermore, the aircraft's center of gravity was calculated to be slightly outside the permitted upper limit due to the weight of the cargo in the baggage compartment.
Findings
- The meteorological conditions in the area were below VFR minimums, characterized by low visibility due to rain and snow, and severe icing conditions above 3,000 ft.
- The pilot likely lost visual reference to the terrain and attempted to navigate through valleys to find a clear route, leading to an erratic flight path.
- Carburetor icing caused the engine to fail because the pilot did not activate the carburetor heat.
- The pilot's decision to initiate the flight despite weather forecasts predicting unsuitable VFR conditions was a contributing factor.