What happened
On March 5, 2005, a Grob G-103-Twin II, registration EC-FHT, departed from La Cerdaña Aerodrome in Girona for a local flight intended to practice mountain soaring. The aircraft was initially towed to an altitude of approximately 1,200 m AGL. After several minutes of flight, the crew found themselves unable to locate rising air currents and were instead experiencing significant sink rates. Consequently, the decision was made to return to the airfield.
During the direct approach to runway 25, the aircraft descended below the level of the runway. The aircraft struck the embankment located immediately before the runway threshold, with the lower fuselage impacting the upper edge of the slope. The impact resulted in one fatality and one serious injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the crew's qualifications, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was found to be in an airworthy condition and had been maintained according to the approved program. Both occupants were qualified pilots with valid licenses and medical certificates.
Investigators analyzed the terrain and wind conditions, noting that the threshold of runway 25 is situated at the edge of a steep embankment, which places the runway higher than the surrounding terrain. Meteorological data indicated strong north winds, with gusts and potential turbulence caused by the local topography. Witnesses at the airfield reported that the aircraft encountered a strong headwind and a significant downward vertical component during the final approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the maintenance of an insufficient margin of height above the ground during the final phase of the approach, leading to the impact with the terrain.
- The crew's decision to return to the airfield was made while the aircraft was at an altitude that did not guarantee a safe return given the prevailing weather conditions.
- The crew likely failed to adequately evaluate the possibility of an off-field landing, instead relying on the ability to reach the aerodrome.
- Strong headwind components and wind deflection caused by the terrain's topography likely induced a sink rate in the aircraft's trajectory just before impact.