What happened
On August 16, 2013, a Yakovlev Y-52, registration EC-IAN, was conducting a private local demonstration flight near the La Axarquía aerodrome in Vélez-Málaga, Spain. The pilot, accompanied by one passenger, had been flying along the coast for approximately twenty minutes before returning to the aerodrome circuit to perform various maneuvers.
During the flight, the pilot performed several passes over the runway and executed at least two rolls in a designated aerobatic zone. Witnesses observed the aircraft performing maneuvers at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 feet. During the final sequence of maneuvers, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled flight state, characterized by an inverted flat spin. The aircraft descended rapidly in a near-vertical trajectory, impacting the ground 200 meters northeast of runway 13-31. The impact occurred within a mango orchard, striking a defunct greenhouse structure. The pilot was killed instantly, and the passenger succumbed to severe injuries approximately 24 hours later.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined radar tracks, aircraft wreckage, and witness testimonies. Radar data confirmed that the aircraft's altitude dropped significantly during the final moments, with a descent rate exceeding 1,200 feet per minute. The investigation analyzed the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was in good airworthiness condition, and reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting a relatively low number of hours in aerobatic-capable aircraft.
Technical analysis of the wreckage revealed that the engine's radial mount had failed upon impact and the airframe suffered extensive structural damage, rendering the aircraft a total loss. Investigators also performed weight and balance calculations, which were critical to understanding the aircraft's stability during the spin.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control in flight at a low altitude, which prevented the pilot from recovering the aircraft.
- A significant contributing factor was the aft center of gravity, which was located behind the approved limits for aerobatic flight.
- The pilot likely attempted an aerobatic maneuver, such as a spin, at an insufficient altitude to recover.
- The pilot had attempted to recover the aircraft by reducing engine power, which helped transition the aircraft from an inverted attitude to a nose-down attitude, but the altitude was insufficient to arrest the descent.
- The pilot's experience in specifically aerobatic aircraft was limited, with only approximately 15 hours of flight time in types like the Pitts Special and limited training in the YAK-52.