What happened
On March 23, 2006, at approximately 13:15 local time, a Socata Rallye 180T (registration EC-DCG) was performing a local flight at the San Luis Aerodrome in Menorca. The aircraft, operated by Blimp, S. L., was engaged in a flight instruction session specifically for banner towing maneuvers. On board were the pilot in command and two other pilots undergoing training for this activity.
During the approach to runway 20, the crew was simulating the process of hooking a banner. While flying at a low altitude—approximately 10 meters above the ground—and at a speed of roughly 115 km/h, the aircraft began a climb following a power increase. However, during this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a progressive left roll. The left wing struck the ground, causing the aircraft to sustain heavy damage and come to rest at an angle of 210 degrees relative to its original flight path. The accident resulted in two serious injuries and one minor injury among the crew.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the meteorological conditions, and the training procedures in place. Post-accident inspection revealed that the engine was at maximum power, the mixture was set to rich, and the flaps were deployed at approximately half-extension. While the pilot initially suspected a loss of control or a stall, investigators found no evidence of a control failure; the aileron cables on the right wing remained intact, and the damage to the left wing's control system was a direct result of the impact.
Meteorological data from the nearby Menorca Airport indicated that at the time of the accident, winds were approximately 10 knots, but with significant directional variability between 210 and 280 degrees. This created a crosswind component of up to 20 knots from the right side of the runway. Witnesses on the ground also observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude and low speed with noticeable lateral oscillations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was performing an approach at an altitude of less than half the aircraft's wingspan while subjected to a crosswind.
- The crosswind induced a left roll (dihedral effect) that the crew could not counteract before the left wing impacted the terrain.
- The training nature of the flight likely contributed to the accident, as the focus on banner towing maneuvers may have reduced the pilot's attention to the specific techniques required to manage a crosswind approach.
- At the time of the impact, the aircraft was in a configuration appropriate for climbing, but the lateral force from the wind caused the wing to strike the ground.