What happened
On June 28, 2008, a Cessna 172N, registration EC-IRP, departed from Son Bonet aerodrome in Mallorca as part of the Menorca stage of the 2008 Spanish Motor Flight Championship. The aircraft was carrying three occupants: the pilot, a co-pilot, and a passenger.
Approximately 17 minutes after takeoff, while flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the aircraft descended sharply and struck the ground in the municipality of Sa Pobla. The impact was extremely violent, causing the right fuel tank to rupture and ignite. The aircraft struck the terrain with its lower forward fuselage and continued sliding for 44 meters before hitting a structure, resulting in three fatalities.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation utilized data from an onboard flight logger to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. The records showed that the aircraft maintained a ground speed of approximately 80 knots between the start point and the first turning point (TP01). However, after passing TP01 and performing a right-hand turn, the aircraft's speed dropped to roughly 60 knots, and its altitude decreased to 300 meters.
Investigators examined the engine and propeller, finding no evidence of mechanical failure. The engine was producing power at the time of impact, and the fuel mixture and throttle were set to high power. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was operating at a weight very close to its maximum takeoff weight. Physical evidence, including injuries to the pilot's arms, suggested the pilot was bracing for an imminent impact.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying at a low airspeed that was dangerously close to its stall speed, especially considering the high weight and the presence of a tailwind component.
- The aircraft experienced significant fluctuations in altitude and airspeed during the final stages of the flight.
- The loss of lift was the primary factor, driven by the combination of high weight, the centrifugal forces of the turning maneuver, and changing wind conditions.
- The pilot's recent flight history showed extensive experience in other aircraft types, such as the Beechcraft Bonanza, but very limited recent experience specifically with the Cessna 172N, which may have led to an overestimation of the aircraft's performance during the maneuver.