What happened
On March 22, 2006, at 18:05 local time, a Mooney M-20-K, registration EC-JCT, crashed near the runway at El Berriel Aerodrome in Las Palmas. The aircraft had taken off from runway 07 with the intention of flying to Gran Canaria Airport to position itself for a subsequent flight to Cape Verde. After takeoff, the pilot performed a 180-degree turn to fly over the runway in the opposite direction at a low altitude.
Following a low approach, the aircraft entered a steep climb. During this phase, the aircraft experienced sudden changes in attitude, including significant bank angles. The flight path eventually led the aircraft over a grove of trees, where the right wing struck the treetops. The aircraft continued its descent in a near-inverted attitude before impacting the ground at a karting track area. The impact was violent, causing the aircraft to fragment and resulting in a post-crash fire fueled by the aircraft's 297 liters of fuel. The pilot, a 56-year-old commercial pilot, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the condition of the wreckage, and witness testimonies. Investigators reconstructed the flight trajectory based on observations from experienced aviation users at the aerodrome. The investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers following the low approach and the physical evidence found at the impact site, including the state of the engine and propeller.
Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed that the engine was operating at high power during the impact. There were no signs of mechanical malfunction prior to the crash. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting a valid commercial pilot license, though some instrument and multi-engine ratings had expired.
Findings
- The aircraft was performing a high-performance climb following a low-altitude pass.
- The aircraft experienced extreme longitudinal accelerations during the steep ascent.
- The pilot likely suffered a sudden loss of consciousness due to the G-forces reached during the maneuver, leading to a loss of control.
- The aircraft's engine and propeller were functioning normally and delivering power at the time of impact.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable, with clear skies and light winds.
- The impact was sufficiently violent to cause the total destruction of the airframe and the dispersal of debris over an 80-meter area.