What happened
On November 22, 2024, a Piper PA-28-140, registration EC-CAZ, departed León Airport (LELN) for a local recreational flight. The flight was intended to provide scenic views of the mountains, specifically near Peña Ubiña. The aircraft was operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with two occupants, the pilot and a passenger.
Following the initial flight segment, the aircraft began a descent near Callejo de Ordás and performed two orbits. After the second orbit, the aircraft continued on a south/southeast heading. At 13:29:02, the last secondary radar signal was recorded while the aircraft was flying at 7,400 ft with a ground speed of 86 kt on a heading of approximately 035º.
After the loss of radar contact, air traffic controllers attempted to contact the aircraft multiple times without success. A Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was activated at 14:20:00. At 17:26:00, the wreckage was located near Cimanes del Tejar, approximately 5 NM from LELN. The aircraft had struck the terrain with high energy, and the impact resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the wreckage, radar tracks, and radio communications. Investigators analyzed the flight path, noting significant deviations from the planned route and normal procedures. The investigation also reviewed the functionality of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), which failed to transmit a signal due to immediate damage caused by the high-energy impact.
Investigators also evaluated the actions of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) service and the SAR response. While the pilot failed to acknowledge specific instructions from the controller, the investigation determined that this would not have prevented the accident. The investigation also considered various hypotheses for the loss of control, including pilot disorientation and potential medical issues.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a loss of control in flight.
- The impact with the terrain occurred with high energy and at an attitude and trajectory outside the normal operating margins of the aircraft.
- The last radio communications from the pilot showed a significant degradation in cadence, fluency, and phraseology compared to the departure from LELN.
- The pilot did not acknowledge or follow instructions provided by the controller to proceed to point N.
- The ELT became non-functional immediately upon impact due to the destruction of the coaxial cable and internal damage to the beacon.
- Meteorological conditions, aircraft maintenance, and fuel levels were ruled out as contributing factors.
- A probable hypothesis is the incapacitation of the pilot during the flight, as the observed irregularities in communications and navigation deviations were consistent with such an event.