What happened
On 2 August 2012, a Cessna 500, registration EC-IBA, was performing an emergency medical transport flight for the National Transplant Organization. The flight was returning to Santiago de Compostela Airport (LEST) after transporting a surgical team from Asturias to Porto.
After departing Asturias, the crew contacted Santiago approach control and was cleared for an ILS approach to runway 1t. At approximately 04:15 UTC, the tower controller informed the crew of calm winds and cleared them to land. However, two minutes later, the aircraft impacted the ground approximately 200 meters before the Santiago VOR, roughly one mile short of the runway 17 threshold. The impact destroyed the aircraft and caused two fatalities, involving both the captain and the first officer.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's configuration, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators analyzed the radar trace of the approach and the status of the aircraft's instruments. The investigation also reviewed the crew's adherence to standard operating procedures and the impact of local weather, specifically the presence of fog in the vicinity of the airport.
Findings
- The crew conducted an unstabilized ILS approach.
- The pilots failed to follow the established glide slope, instead relying on distance references to the VOR rather than using the runway as a primary reference.
- The aircraft was configured for landing, with the landing gear down and flaps set to the approach position, at the time of impact.
- Fog in and around the airport was present, which likely hindered the crew's ability to maintain visual contact with the ground during the final stages of the approach.