What happened
On 6 June 2011, a CIRRUS SR-22, registration SP-AVD, was conducting a private VFR flight from San Sebastian Airport (LESO) to Maia Airport (LPVL) in Portugal. The flight was following the coastline, accompanied by two Cessna 182 aircraft. As the aircraft approached Asturias Airport (LEAS), the pilot was informed by air traffic control of low visibility conditions and fog at the aerodrome.
While flying along the coast, the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Flight data indicates that the pilot attempted to locate the airport runway, causing a significant deviation from the coastline. In the final moments of the flight, the aircraft struck the treetops of Bayas Mountain at an altitude of approximately 500 feet. The impact with the trees caused a sharp drop in airspeed and a nose-down attitude. The two occupants of the aircraft, the pilot and a passenger, were killed upon impact.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the flight path and the aircraft's automated systems. Although the aircraft lacked flight recorders, investigators recovered the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD), which provided critical data. The analysis showed that the autopilot was engaged for much of the flight but was disengaged approximately 13 seconds before the end of the recording.
Investigators also examined the deployment of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The investigation established that the pilot activated the emergency parachute after the aircraft struck the trees, but the deployment occurred at an altitude too low to prevent the subsequent uncontrolled descent.
Findings
- The pilot entered IMC conditions without an IFR rating, which resulted in a total loss of situational awareness due to the lack of external visual references.
- The pilot deployed the emergency parachute at an altitude insufficient for the system to stabilize the aircraft.
- The aircraft's impact with eucalyptus trees caused a sudden loss of lift and a leftward downward spiral.
- Air traffic controllers had expressed concerns regarding the weather, but the pilot's decision to continue the flight into deteriorating conditions was the primary driver of the accident.