Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Yakovlev Yak-52, registered EC-IAN, designed for aerobatic flight. The pilot, who was also the owner, was conducting a local private demonstration flight with a passenger. The flight departed from La Axarquía aerodrome in Vélez-Málaga, Spain, on 16 August 2013.
Sequence of Events
At 13:00 local time, the pilot filed a flight plan with Málaga control tower via telephone, indicating a planned departure at 13:10 and an estimated duration of 45 minutes. The actual takeoff occurred later; the first radar echo was received at 13:26 at 700 ft altitude between Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar, heading southeast. After approximately 13 minutes of flight, the pilot radioed Málaga approach (118.45 MHz) and then La Axarquía aerodrome frequency (123.50 MHz) his intention to return and perform passes over the runway.
Radar data and witness reports indicate that the aircraft made several maneuvers and passes in at least two circuits over the aerodrome, including two barrel rolls in the designated aerobatic area northwest of the runway. During the last barrel roll, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled attitude with a very pronounced descent and a vertical fall to the ground.
Impact and Rescue
The aircraft struck the ground in a nearly vertical trajectory, with a slight nose-down attitude and a slight right bank. The impact occurred approximately 200 meters northeast of runway 13-31 (later redesignated 12-30 due to magnetic declination change), on the metallic structure and cables of a former greenhouse now used for open mango cultivation.
Rescue personnel arrived promptly. The pilot was found without vital signs. The passenger sustained severe injuries that did not permit survival beyond 24 hours.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and passenger both received fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces. No fire occurred.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The accident resulted from a loss of control at relatively low altitude, which precluded recovery. Evidence indicated that the pilot had initiated recovery actions but without success. A contributing factor was the possible initiation of an aerobatic maneuver at low altitude, combined with the aircraft's center of gravity being aft of the approved limits for aerobatic flight, as determined from weight and balance calculations.