What happened
On August 2, 2007, at approximately 19:59 local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registration EC-DRL, departed from Cuatro Vientos Airport for a flight training session under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft was operated by Aero Madrid, S.A. and carried two occupants: a flight instructor and a student pilot.
While flying near Villanueva de la Cañada, the aircraft transitioned from straight-and-level flight into a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a significant bank angle followed by a rapid descent. The crew was unable to recover the aircraft before it impacted the ground in a dry riverbed. The impact caused the destruction of the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight profiles, the training organization's procedures, and the specific handling characteristics of the aircraft. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that the aircraft was operating slightly above its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) due to the operator's fuel policy of filling tanks to capacity regardless of flight duration.
The investigation also reviewed the instructor's experience, noting he had only 35 hours of instructor experience and limited time in this specific aircraft type. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the training center's operational manuals, finding discrepancies between the minimum altitudes recommended for maneuvers and the actual altitudes used during the flight. The investigation also noted that the student pilot, while experienced in helicopters, was only on his second fixed-wing training flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unintentional stall during a simulated engine-failure traffic maneuver performed at a low altitude.
- The instructor's limited experience with the Piper PA-38-112 and its specific stall characteristics contributed to the loss of control.
- The aircraft was operating at a weight slightly exceeding its maximum takeoff weight.
- There was a lack of formal, documented supervision and evaluation of the instructor's progress by the training organization.
- The training maneuvers were being performed at an altitude that left insufficient margin for recovery in the event of a stall or spin.
Safety action
- The CIAIAC issued a recommendation to the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) to review the operational procedures of flight schools using the Piper PA-38 to ensure that sufficient safety altitude margins are maintained during maneuvers to allow for recovery from a stall.