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Cessna 172C Mountain Impact in Tenerife (EC-CXQ)

Montaña de Las Carboneras (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), ES

On March 30, 2001, a Cessna 172 C (registration EC-CXQ) was involved in an aviation accident near Montaña de Las Carboneras (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), ES. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).

Sourcesthe Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot flying a Cessna 172C (EC-CXQ) lost visual contact with the terrain during a solo training flight on March 30, 2001. The aircraft struck trees and terrain on Montaña de las Carboneras, Tenerife, leaving the pilot with minor injuries.

Flight Overview and Incident Details On March 30, 2001, a Cessna 172C with registration EC-CXQ departed Tenerife Norte airport at 8:10 local time for a solo visual flight rule (VFR) training exercise. The flight plan included approaches at La Palma and La Gomera before returning to the departure airport. The aircraft was equipped with a single Continental O-300-D engine. During the climb, the pilot lost visual contact with the terrain due to cloud cover. After receiving instructions from air traffic control to return to the airport, the pilot observed a mountain ahead and attempted to climb over it. The aircraft struck eucalyptus trees near the summit of Montaña de las Carboneras before impacting the ground. The pilot exited the aircraft through the left door and sustained minor head contusions that did not require hospitalization.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Mar 2001 Cessna 172 C accident near Montaña de Las Carboneras (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), ES?

A student pilot flying a Cessna 172C (EC-CXQ) lost visual contact with the terrain during a solo training flight on March 30, 2001. The aircraft struck trees and terrain on Montaña de las Carboneras, Tenerife, leaving the pilot with minor injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Mar 2001 Cessna 172 C accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Mar 2001 involved a Cessna 172 C, registration EC-CXQ, at Montaña de Las Carboneras (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), ES.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/2001_016_a.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC), Spain - Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible.