Accident Summary
On Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 13:32 local time, a Robinson R-22-BETA helicopter, registration EC-IGG, crashed into the Valmayor reservoir in Valdemorillo, Madrid. The helicopter had departed from Cuatro Vientos airport at 11:27 with two occupants on board for a local flight of 2 hours, with the same airport as destination. While overflying the reservoir, the aircraft became entangled with a high-tension cable, fell into the water, and sank. The two occupants—a pilot and a passenger—died. The aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The helicopter was a Robinson R-22-BETA, owned by Tail Rotor S.L. and operated by World Aviation. The pilot held a Private Pilot License (Helicopter) issued by AESA on March 12, 2007, and was 70 years old. He had valid ratings for the Robinson R22 and Robinson R44, both valid until November 30, 2016. The flight was classified as a private flight.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the helicopter struck the upper cable of a power line. The aircraft was found virtually destroyed; parts such as the tail and main rotor were missing. The impact damaged the upper cable. The pilot was flying well below the minimum altitude required by visual flight rules (VFR). The power line was not considered an obstacle for private VFR operations but was identified as an obstacle for firefighting operations. Consequently, a safety recommendation was issued to AESA regarding the marking of such obstacles.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the cause of the accident was the failure to detect or late detection of the power line by the pilot while flying well below the altitude permitted by visual flight rules, which prevented timely evasive action.