2007 Cessna 172 accident in Meranges, Girona (EC-HOT)

Overview and flight details On 3 June 2007, a privately owned and operated Cessna 172, registration EC-HOT, departed Aeródromo de la Cerdaña (LECD) runway 07 at 17:55 local time for a local private flight. The aircraft carried the pilot and three passengers. It flew east to Puigcerdà, then west past the aerodrome, and later turned north into the Durán River valley (Valtova valley), where it climbed. ## Accident sequence While over Meranges, the aircraft made two 360-degree turns to gain altitude. Near Estany Sec, beside the Malniu refuge in the municipality of Meranges, it began a left turn and descended into a sloping meadow, striking the ground at 2,158 m altitude at 18:20 local time. The pilot died in the impact; two rear-seat passengers sustained serious injuries and one front-right passenger sustained minor injuries. Witnesses removed the occupants, and emergency services evacuated the injured by helicopter. ## Investigation findings The accident-site inspection found no evidence of malfunction of the aircraft or its systems. The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the aircraft entering a stall while flying at low speed with an inadequate flap configuration. Prevailing wind conditions may have made it more difficult to control the aircraft’s attitude and speed. The pilot’s failure to wear the upper part of the seat belt was found to have significantly increased the severity of the pilot’s injuries.