What happened
On April 4, 2012, a TECNAM P-2002 JF, registration EC-LJV, operated by ONE AIR, was performing a local flight at the La Axarquía aerodrome in Málaga. The aircraft was carrying a pilot in the right seat and a passenger in the left seat. This was the third flight of the day involving similar flight characteristics.
During the flight, the pilot attempted two landings on runway 30. The first attempt was a missed approach that did not touch the ground. During the second attempt, the aircraft became unstable during the approach and drifted off the right side of the runway. The pilot managed to bring the aircraft back onto the runway and continued rolling toward the end of the strip. To avoid hitting the aerodrome's perimeter fence, the pilot initiated a climb. During this subsequent ascent, the pilot executed a sharp left turn at a low altitude and low airspeed. The aircraft entered a stall and plummeted toward the ground at a steep angle.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the meteorological conditions, and witness testimonies. Investigators found that the aircraft's flaps were retracted during the takeoff from the runway, a configuration that requires higher speeds to maintain lift. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was experiencing significant wind, with gusts affecting the stability of the approach.
Analysis of the wreckage showed that the impact occurred on the left wing and the engine area, with the aircraft rotating counter-clockwise after hitting the ground. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological data, which indicated north-northwest winds of approximately 15.8 knots with gusts up to 23.43 knots. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 22 knots, suggesting the pilot was operating near the limits of the aircraft's control capabilities during the unstable approach.
Findings
- The aircraft was performing a tight left turn at a low altitude and low airspeed.
- The aircraft likely entered a stall due to a combination of low speed and a probable tailwind component during the turn.
- The pilot performed the climb with flaps retracted, necessitating higher speeds to prevent a stall.
- Unfavorable wind conditions, including significant gusts, contributed to the unstable approach and the aircraft drifting off the runway.
- The two occupants, the pilot and the passenger, sustained fatal injuries upon impact.