What happened
On July 5, 2016, at approximately 21:39 local time, a Cirrus SR 22 Turbo G3, registration EC-KJO, crashed at the Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid, Spain. The flight, which was intended as a training mission, had returned to the airfield to practice takeoffs and landings.
During the final landing attempt, the pilot executed a "short traffic" maneuver. Instead of aligning with the runway, the aircraft overshot the runway and continued turning toward the apron. The aircraft made initial contact with the ground at the entrance to the aircraft parking area at high speed. The aircraft then slid across the pavement, striking a parked twin-engine aircraft before impacting a service building. The impact caused the aircraft's left wing to strike the building, leading to a massive fuel fire. The aircraft was destroyed, and the two fatalities (the pilot and the instructor) were caused by the impact and subsequent fire.
The investigation
Investigators reconstructed the flight path using airport security camera footage and witness statements. The analysis revealed that during the approach, the aircraft's speed dropped to approximately 63 kt as the pilot increased the bank angle to attempt to return to the runway.
To counteract this loss of speed, the pilot applied power. However, the application of power caused the aircraft to experience significant leftward yaw due to engine torque, increasing the bank angle to nearly 90 degrees. While the pilot managed to level the wings, the aircraft's ground speed remained high due to a tailwind component, leaving insufficient time to prevent the aircraft from entering the apron area. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date and the engine was functioning normally at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the incorrect execution of the approach maneuver.
- The pilot attempted to land despite performing an unstabilized approach.
- The proximity to sunset and the impending airport closure acted as a contributing factor, potentially pressuring the pilot to complete the landing despite the unstable flight parameters.
- The aircraft's high ground speed during the final segment, exacerbated by a tailwind, reduced the pilot's reaction time to avoid the apron.