Flight and Communications
On 10 May 2002 at 09:33 local time, the Robin DR 400-180, registration D-ESCM, departed from Perpignan Airport in France. On board were two pilots, one acting as pilot in command, and one passenger. The flight was the second leg of a planned 12-day journey visiting cities in Spain and Morocco, with the destination being Granada Airport, where arrival was estimated at 14:48. The aircraft had a fuel endurance of 5 hours 5 minutes.
During the flight, communications with air traffic control proceeded normally. At 13:46, the crew made their final contact with Granada control tower, reporting their position 10 NM east of the airport. However, the tower's direction-finding equipment indicated the transmission originated from the northeast. The controller attempted to re-establish contact multiple times without success.
Alert and Search
After losing contact, alert procedures were initiated. An INCERFA (uncertainty phase) message was issued at 14:30, followed by a DETRESFA (distress phase) at 14:47. A search by air and ground began. The wreckage and the bodies of the three occupants were located at 14:30 on the following day, 11 May 2002, at a site called Sotanilla Haza del Rey in the municipality of Huetor Santillán, approximately 15 km northeast of Granada city. According to autopsy reports, the accident occurred around 14:30 on 10 May.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was destroyed on impact. Minor damage was caused to nearby vegetation, including three small olive trees that were struck by parts of the aircraft structure. All three occupants suffered fatal injuries.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause to be: conducting an approach descent to Granada Airport within a cloud-covered area that hindered VFR flight, without real knowledge of the geographical position and height above terrain.
No safety recommendations were issued as a result of this investigation.