What happened
On March 30, 2001, a CESSNA 172 C, registration EC-CXQ, departed Tenerife Norte Airport for a solo instructional flight. The flight plan included approaches at La Palma and La Gomera airports. Due to Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) at the departure airfield, the flight was authorized as a special VFR operation.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot lost visual contact with the terrain as clouds enveloped the aircraft. During communications with Tenerife Norte Tower, the pilot reported being unable to see the ground. While the controller instructed the pilot to return to the field and advised that no radar vectors could be provided due to the VFR status, a critical misunderstanding occurred. The pilot misheard the instruction to "ascend" (ascienda) as "descend" (descienda).
Believing the aircraft was too low, the pilot attempted to maneuver, but the aircraft struck several bushes and then collided with eucalyptus trees at the crest of the Montaña de las Carboneras. Following the impact with the trees, the aircraft entered a dive, striking the ground on its left wing and nose before coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft through the left door and sought assistance.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight sequence, meteorological conditions, and communications between the pilot and Air Traffic Control (ATC). The investigation noted that the pilot, while fluent in Spanish, had another language as her native tongue, which may have contributed to the phonetic confusion between the Spanish terms for climb and descend.
Investigators also reviewed the operational procedures of the flight training organization, noting that while the manual allowed instructors to authorize students to fly in IMC under certain conditions, specific objective criteria for such solo VFR special flights were not established. The investigation also analyzed the impact damage, which showed significant damage to the left wing and underside of the fuselage, consistent with striking vegetation and terrain.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot disorientation resulting from flying in IMC conditions without visual contact with the ground.
- A significant contributing factor was the phonetic similarity between the Spanish ATC commands "ascienda" and "descienda," which led the pilot to believe she was being instructed to descend.
- The pilot's limited flight experience contributed to the inability to manage the situation effectively.
- Meteorological conditions did not improve following the initial departure, maintaining the IMC environment.