What happened
On February 26, 2001, at approximately 16:00 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration EC-FCH, crashed in the municipality of Ciruelos, Toledo. The aircraft had departed from Cuatro Vientos Airport for a local flight training mission under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). On board were an instructor and a student pilot engaged in training exercises to obtain instructor ratings.
During the flight, the crew maintained brief radio contact with their training center to report their status. However, the specific details of the flight program being executed that day were unknown, as the pre-flight briefing between the instructor and the student was conducted privately without documentation. Near the towns of Yepes and Ciruelos, the aircraft performed a steep climb from a very low altitude before plunging into the ground. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the flight training organization's procedures, and witness testimony. Investigators analyzed the wreckage and found that the aircraft had been maintained according to schedule and was in compliance with relevant airworthiness directives, specifically regarding the seat track adjustment mechanism.
Witness accounts from a person traveling nearby described the aircraft flying at a low altitude before performing a brief ascent and then falling in a dive. The investigation also looked into the training organization's administrative practices, noting a lack of formal records regarding the student's progress and the specific maneuvers being practiced. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the training area used was not ideal for the maneuvers being performed, as the company manual prescribed minimum altitudes of 2,000 feet for certain maneuvers, yet the aircraft was operating below 1,000 feet AGL.
Findings
- The Cessna 152 was operating at an altitude below the 1,000-foot safety limit established in the operator's maneuver manual.
- There was no documentary evidence of the specific training phase or the maneuvers intended for that flight.
- The aerodynamic stall of the aircraft during a steep climb from low altitude was the primary cause of the accident.
- The training organization lacked robust systems for recording student progress and documenting pre-flight briefings.
- The selected training area was not specifically designated for practicing stall recoveries or engine-out procedures.