What happened
On March 7, 2006, a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, registration EC-JAX, operated by Aerotaxi Los Valles, crashed into the northern slope of the Sierra de Tajonar in Navarre, Spain. The aircraft was performing a commercial taxi flight from Madrid-Torrejón to Pamplona-Noaín.
During the approach to runway 15 at Pamplona, the aircraft was operating under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) characterized by fog, clouds, and drizzle. At 15:38 local time, the crew notified the VOR-DME PPN of the start of the ILS approach. By 15:46, the crew reported being established on the localizer. However, at 15:48, the pilot notified the tower that a missed approach procedure was being initiated. This was the final radio contact.
At approximately 15:49, the aircraft struck the mountainside at an altitude of 730 meters while in level flight. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft. Of the six people on board, the co-pilot and one passenger were killed, while the pilot and three other passengers sustained injuries and burns.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation established that the aircraft was flying with a weight and center of gravity that exceeded certified limits, which significantly restricted the aircraft's maneuverability and control. The investigation also found that the crew lacked the required training and experience levels mandated by regulations, noting that this was the first flight the pilot and co-pilot had performed together for this operator.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed serious deficiencies in the operator's documentation. The company's Operations Manual contained significant errors, including references to aircraft models not operated by the company and names of other operators. The investigation also highlighted that the Spanish aviation authority (DGAC) failed to detect these operational and regulatory non-compliances during the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) renewal process.
Findings
- The primary cause was the execution of a missed approach procedure without passing the NO radio beacon as prescribed by the published procedure.
- The aircraft's approach was unstable, deviating up to 16 degrees from the runway heading.
- High-altitude winds, which did not match the conditions reported at the destination airport, caused a trajectory deviation that the crew failed to correct.
- The aircraft was operating with an unbalanced load and weight exceeding certification limits.
- The crew lacked recent experience in IMC conditions and had insufficient training and coordination for the mission.
Safety action
- The DGAC was recommended to review the capacity of Aerotaxi Los Valles to conduct commercial passenger transport operations.
- The DGAC was recommended to review its procedures for the granting and maintenance of Air Operator Certificates (AOCs).