Incident Overview
On February 26, 2001, at approximately 16:00 UTC, a Cessna 152 with registration EC-FCH crashed into the ground in the municipality of Ciruelos, Toledo. The accident occurred at a location known as Pasaje de la Raya. Both occupants on board were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed by the impact.
Flight Details
The aircraft departed from Cuatro Vientos Airport at 15:12 UTC for a local visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight. The crew consisted of a 26-year-old commercial pilot instructor and a 30-year-old student pilot. The student was undergoing training to obtain the qualification for a private and commercial pilot instructor (FI(A)).
Accident Sequence
During the flight, brief radio contacts were maintained with the training center, limited to status updates. No documented pre-flight briefing record existed, as it was conducted privately between the two crew members. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft fly low, climb slightly, and then enter a steep dive before impacting the terrain between the towns of Yepes and Ciruelos.
Investigation Findings
The investigation could not determine the specific maneuver being executed at the time of the accident due to the lack of documented flight plans or pre-flight briefings. The aircraft came to rest in a vineyard, causing minimal damage to the crops.