What happened
On 15 May 2018, a Socata Rallye 235 E, registration EC-CYO, was conducting a commercial sailplane towing operation near the Fuentemilanos aerodrome in Segovia, Spain. After successfully releasing a glider at an altitude of approximately 850 meters, the pilot began a descent toward the aerodrome.
During the return leg of the flight, the aircraft's left wing impacted a vulture. The impact caused an immediate and sharp yaw to the left. The pilot managed to counteract this movement using the rudder and banking the aircraft in the opposite direction. The strike resulted in significant structural damage to the left wing, specifically affecting the leading edge and the slats.
Due to the damage, the aircraft experienced a partial loss of maneuverability. The pilot found that reducing airspeed would cause a dangerous increase in the leftward yaw. Consequently, the pilot informed the airfield manager that the landing would be performed at a much higher speed than usual—approximately 250 km/h instead of the standard 130 km/h—to maintain control. The pilot maintained a clean configuration and executed the landing safely, touching down without further incident. The pilot was uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the structural damage to the wing, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he held a valid commercial pilot license and had extensive experience on the aircraft type.
Technical analysis of the wreckage confirmed that the vulture impacted the top of the slats, deforming the leading edge and the underlying structure. The investigation also considered local wildlife patterns, noting that vultures are common in the area and follow predictable flight paths based on thermal activity and wind conditions. The investigation concluded that the pilot's decision-making regarding the high-speed approach was correct and necessary to preserve control of the damaged aircraft.