What happened
On March 3, 2008, a Lancair 360, registration EC-ZGG, departed from Mutxamel Aerodrome (Alicante) to perform a flight test for the renewal of its airworthiness certificate. The flight was intended to last approximately 15 to 20 minutes, with the pilot-owner acting as the sole occupant.
During the flight, the pilot attempted to land on runway 12. The first landing attempt was aborted, followed by a second attempt that was also unsuccessful after a left turn. On the third approach, after passing the runway threshold, the pilot executed a sharp left turn. Following a slight climb, the aircraft stalled and impacted the terrain on the left wing, subsequently bouncing and striking the ground with the nose section. The aircraft came to rest near the aerodrome's perimeter fence.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The aircraft sustained catastrophic damage: the forward fuselage was disintegrated, the engine assembly separated from the airframe, the tail detached, and the right wing was severed near the root. The left wing lost its entire leading edge. Inspection of the controls confirmed that the left aileron remained functional and connected to the control stick, and the propeller showed deformations consistent with the engine delivering power at the time of impact.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's history and the aircraft's recent usage. The pilot had approximately 800 total flight hours, primarily in Cessna and Piper aircraft, but possessed very little experience with this specific model. The aircraft had been stationary for nearly a year in Germany and another year in Spain prior to the accident, with minimal flight time recorded during that period.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced no mechanical failures during the flight, and meteorological conditions were favorable.
- The pilot lacked sufficient proficiency in the Lancair 360 due to limited type-specific experience and infrequent use of the aircraft.
- The pilot's performance was likely impacted by the pressure of conducting a flight for airworthiness certification.
- The primary cause was a loss of control during a steep turn at low altitude while performing an aborted landing maneuver.