What happened
On June 16, 2000, a Robin R-1180-TD, registration EC-GJH, departed from San Sebastián airport at 10:30 hours for a planned five-hour aerial photography mission. The flight was destined for Zaragoza, with the aircraft carrying a pilot and a photographer. The last radio contact with the San Sebastián Tower occurred at 10:49 hours near Sumbilla.
At approximately 12:30 hours, mountain hikers in the Canal Roya area observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude. They reported seeing the plane maneuver toward the terrain before hearing a loud impact. The aircraft had struck a large rock in the La Rinconably de Canal Roya area, near Canfranc, resulting in the complete destruction of the airframe. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries due to the high-energy impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's medical and professional standing, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The Robin R-1180-TD had recently undergone a 1000-hour inspection, and the engine was also up to date with its maintenance schedule. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 6,000 total flight hours, and had passed a medical examination just one day prior to the accident.
Investigators analyzed the wreckage and the impact site, noting that the aircraft struck the rock head-on at a high velocity. The investigation also considered the lack of any emergency landing attempts, as the pilot did not seek out the flatter, clearer areas available in the nearby valley, nor did the crew deploy the flaps to reduce approach speed. Witnesses did not report any engine malfunctions or changes in engine noise prior to the crash.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in clear weather with good visibility.
- The aircraft was in a state of low-speed flight, likely maneuvering for oblique photography.
- The entry into a stall caused by lateral gusts (thermal or otherwise) while flying at low altitude and low speed was the most probable cause of the accident.