Factual Information
On 30 March 2016, a Cessna 172R aircraft, registration EC-JSM, took off from Sabadell Airport (Barcelona) at 11:21 local time on a visual flight to Cuatro Vientos Airport (Madrid). The pilot, a 27-year-old Spanish national and member of the Barcelona-Sabadell Aero Club, was accompanied by two passengers. The flight was intended as a day trip to Madrid with a return to Sabadell later that day.
While flying over the town of Perales de Tajuña, a griffon vulture struck the left wing strut, causing the wing to detach. The aircraft immediately lost control and impacted the ground seconds later. The collision resulted in the death of the pilot and both passengers. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172R (serial number 17281310) was manufactured in 2006 and registered with Spain's National Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) on 21 July 2006. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine. The aircraft held a Certificate of Airworthiness issued on 19 January 2012, and an Airworthiness Review Certificate issued on 22 December 2014, later extended by the Barcelona-Sabadell Aero Club until 19 January 2017. The last inspection was a 50-hour check conducted on 29 February 2016 at the same club.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot license (PPL(A)) issued on 13 February 2013 by AESA, with a single-engine piston (SEP land) rating valid until 28 February 2017 and a night rating. He possessed a Class 2 medical certificate valid until 18 March 2020. His total flight experience at the time of the accident was 223 hours and 2 minutes.
Accident Sequence
The accident occurred at approximately 14:02 local time. The aircraft was en route at an unspecified altitude when a griffon vulture impacted the left wing strut. The resultant structural failure caused the left wing to detach, leading to an immediate loss of control. The aircraft crashed into the ground within seconds. An olive tree was damaged by the impact, but no other ground damage occurred.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants (one pilot and two passengers) sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the loss of control of the aircraft following the detachment of the left wing after impacting a griffon vulture.