What happened
On the early morning of April 12, 2002, a Fairchild SA-227-AC Metro III, registration EC-GKR, was performing a cargo flight from Madrid Barajas to Palma de Mallorca. While approaching runway 24L under visual flight rules (VFR) at approximately 03:06 UTC, the aircraft entered an unstabilized approach.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft executed a steep turn with a bank angle of approximately 50 degrees. During this maneuver, the right wingtip made contact with the runway pavement about 300 meters from the threshold. This contact caused the aircraft to roll violently and impact the ground in an inverted position. The impact destroyed the forward fuselage and triggered a post-crash fire fueled by unconsumed Jet-A1 fuel. The two fatalities involved were the pilot and co-pilot, who died instantly due to the high deceleration forces and the destruction of the cockpit.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight data recorder (DFDR) tracks, radar data, and physical wreckage. Investigators reconstructed the flight path, which showed significant heading changes in the final seconds of the flight. Analysis of the propeller blades revealed that both engines were operating at high power—estimated at approximately 2,000 rpm—at the moment of impact.
The investigation also reviewed the environmental conditions, noting that while visibility was good (9–10 km) and winds were light, the night was dark without moonlight. The high humidity and low altitude during the maneuver were considered factors that could have contributed to visual illusions or a loss of situational awareness regarding the aircraft's height above the ground.
Findings
- The aircraft was in an unstabilized approach, failing to maintain the minimum required altitude and exceeding the company's maximum allowable bank angle of 30 degrees.
- The crew performed a very tight turn at low altitude, which likely led to a loss of lift or a slip toward the inside of the turn.
- The aircraft's engines were at high power settings during the impact.
- The crew's familiarity with the route and the pressure of following other aircraft in the landing sequence may have discouraged them from executing a missed approach (go-around) earlier in the sequence.