What happened
On May 5, 2013, at approximately 13:48 local time, a Hispano Aviación HA-200 Saeta, registration EC-DXR, was participating in an aerial exhibition at the Madrid Cuatro Vientos Airport. The aircraft, operated by the Fundación Infante de Orleans, was performing a sequence of maneuvers at the end of its display.
Following a low pass over runway 28, the pilot initiated a climb followed by a very tight left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft reached its maximum altitude but began a steep descent while maintaining a low left wing. As the pilot attempted to recover the aircraft, the right wing struck an electrical transformer located 7 meters above the ground. The impact caused the right wing to detach, and the aircraft subsequently struck several parked vehicles before crashing into a hangar belonging to the National Police Corps, where a fire brokeMM erupted.
The collision resulted in the death of the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Two police officers inside the hangar and two civilians who attempted to assist the pilot also sustained injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, engine performance, and the operational procedures of the airshow. Investigators analyzed the final 14 seconds of the flight, specifically focusing on the climb and descent phases. The investigation confirmed that the engines did not fail during the event.
Technical analysis revealed that during the final climb, engine thrust was reduced below the level of aerodynamic drag, causing a significant loss of airspeed. The subsequent tight turn at low speed and low altitude induced aerodynamic buffet, leading to a massive loss of energy. The aircraft descended approximately 200 meters in just five seconds, leaving insufficient altitude to recover before striking the transformer.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the execution of an unprogrammed maneuver not included in the official airshow program.
- The maneuver involved a climb at low speed and low altitude, where a reduction in thrust led to a significant loss of energy.
- The aircraft entered a state of flight path instability during the descent, resulting in a loss of altitude that left no margin for recovery.
- The impact with the transformer caused a widespread power outage at the airport for approximately 90 minutes.
- Emergency response was hindered by access issues, as a fire service vehicle was delayed because it lacked a key to a specific airport gate.