2015 Cessna 172-N accident at Górliz (EC-HKH)

Overview and flight details On 14 November 2015, a Cessna 172-N registered EC-HKH, operated by Real Aero Club de Bizkaia, departed Bilbao Airport for a private local flight of about one hour. The aircraft carried the pilot and two passengers. While returning toward the airport and approaching the November point of the visual approach, at about 2,000 ft, the engine lost power and ran at low revolutions. The pilot attempted the established procedure without success, instructed the occupants, and made an emergency water landing near Punta de Astondo in the municipality of Górliz, Bizkaia. ## Occupants, injuries, and recovery All three occupants evacuated the aircraft on their own and were assisted by nearby witnesses before being rescued by the Ertzaintza Maritime Rescue Service. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured; one passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft sank about 150 m from the coast at a depth of 10 to 15 m. It was located on 19 November and recovered on 20 November, with significant damage after several days submerged. ## Aircraft and personnel The aircraft was a single-engine Cessna 172-N with a Lycoming O-320-H2AD engine, two-blade propeller, tricycle landing gear, and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,044 kg. It was built in 1978, serial number 17270379, with 6,941:30 airframe hours and 3,364:55 engine hours at the time of the accident. Its airworthiness certificate was valid until 8 August 2016. The 31-year-old Spanish pilot held a CPL(A) with MEP, SEP, IR(A), and FI(A) ratings and had 714 total flight hours, including 14 hours on type.