What happened
On May 24, 2013, at 17:03 local time, a Cessna 172M, registration EC-EMP, departed from Son Bonet Airport in Marratxí, Mallorca, for a planned 90-minute private sightseeing flight. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and three passengers.
Approximately one minute after takeoff, while the aircraft was performing a left-hand turn at a low altitude, it lost airspeed and impacted the ground near the airport perimeter. The impact was followed by a severe post-crash fire. The three passengers sustained fatal injuries due to the impact and subsequent thermal exposure, while the pilot survived with serious injuries, including multiple fractures and severe burns.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the aircraft configuration and the pilot's actions during the departure phase. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the flaps were set to the 40º position at the time of impact. According to the aircraft's flight manual, takeoff should be performed with the flaps up, and while a 10º setting is permissible to shorten takeoff distance, settings greater than 10º are not recommended.
Evidence from the wreckage indicated that the left flap actuator was deformed, suggesting the mechanism had been forced to retract while fully extended. The investigation also noted that while the aircraft's weight was near its maximum allowable limit, the center of gravity was within limits. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely failed to properly execute the pre-takeoff checklist, inadvertently leaving the flaps in the fully extended position.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was loss of control in flight during a left-hand turn at low speed and altitude, caused by an improper flap configuration for takeoff.
- The pilot likely omitted the checklist item regarding flap verification during the pre-takeoff sequence.
- The aircraft was operating at a weight very close to its maximum allowable limit, which hindered the climb performance.
- The pilot likely attempted to return to the aerodrome due to poor climb performance but did not realize the flaps were incorrectly configured, leading to an aerodynamic stall during the turn.