Flight History
The aircraft, a Robin DR-400-180 registered as EC-KFG, departed from A Coruña Airport at 14:39 local time on 6 September 2016. The filed flight plan indicated Pamplona Airport as the destination. The flight was an aerial photography mission, and the crew intended to take photographs along the planned route.
Accident Sequence
At approximately 16:10, the aircraft arrived at the town of Villanueva del Condado (León) and began circling at low altitude over a plot containing several buildings located about 750 meters northwest of the town. An eyewitness at a nearby municipal pool reported seeing the aircraft fly overhead, pass over a group of black poplar trees, and then bank to the right. Immediately afterward, the nose of the aircraft dropped sharply. The aircraft struck the ground violently a few meters ahead.
Wreckage and Injuries
Both occupants were killed in the impact, and the aircraft was destroyed. The wreckage was examined and documented. No fire occurred after the impact.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident occurred when the aircraft stalled while circling over the houses that the occupants intended to photograph. Two factors contributed to the stall: the low altitude at which the circling was performed, and the small turn radius required, which necessitated an excessive bank angle. No other causal factors were identified.
Probable Cause
The accident occurred as the aircraft stalled while circling over a group of houses the occupants wanted to photograph.