Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-28RT-201T, registration EC-KUU, operated as a private flight. The sole occupant was the pilot. The flight departed from Los Martínez del Puerto aerodrome (LEMP) at approximately 17:15 local time, with a destination of Almería Airport (LEAM). The pilot did not file a flight plan prior to departure due to mobile phone coverage issues; he attempted to do so in-flight by calling the ARO office at Alicante Airport, but only the departure aerodrome, aircraft registration, and destination were noted. He was advised to file an AFIL flight plan via radio with an ATC unit. No further communications between the aircraft and ground stations occurred.
Sequence of Events
Around 18:00, while the aircraft was near Cabo de Gata (the Sierra reporting point for Almería Airport), an electrical failure occurred. The pilot stated that he could no longer communicate with Almería Tower. The sky was overcast, surface visibility was good, and sunset was approaching. Considering a high risk of collision with other aircraft if continuing to the airport and insufficient daylight to reach an alternate aerodrome, the pilot decided to locate a beach for landing. He flew south over the sea, then west, then north, reaching a beach near Punta Entinas, south of El Ejido (Almería).
Emergency Ditching
At approximately 18:20, the aircraft ditched about 20 meters from shore, with landing gear and flaps retracted. The aircraft submerged in shallow water. The pilot abandoned the aircraft before it submerged and swam to shore. The investigation noted that a second battery had been installed in parallel on the aircraft, and the pilot's actions during the emergency were analyzed, but the official probable cause was not explicitly stated in the provided source.
Conclusion
The accident remains under technical investigation by the CIAIAC. The report includes findings related to the electrical failure and pilot decision-making, but no specific probable cause was released in the available document excerpt.