Cessna F172N Crash at Sollana, Spain (D-ELBW)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On Saturday, July 23, 2005, a Cessna F172N with registration D-ELBW departed Valencia Airport at 10:14 local time. The aircraft was operated by East Point Aviation, a company formerly known as AEP (Aviador Escuela de Pilotos). The pilot, a 42-year-old Spanish commercial pilot with 2,350 total flight hours, was the only person on board. The flight was intended for banner towing, although the specific operation type was listed as unknown in the initial data. ## Crash Sequence and Impact After takeoff, the aircraft headed south and reached the S-1 Sollana reporting point at 10:26 local time. Contact with air traffic control was lost shortly after the pilot reported reaching Sollana and heading toward Muchamiel Aerodrome. The aircraft impacted the ground approximately 15 nautical miles south of Valencia Airport, near an old dirt runway in Sollana. The impact occurred in a cultivated rice field, and the aircraft was found resting on its left side. The pilot was killed in the crash, and the aircraft was destroyed. ## Aircraft Condition and Investigation Findings The investigation revealed that the aircraft had undergone a 200-hour inspection three weeks prior to the accident. At the time of the crash, the aircraft had 8,942 total hours. Fuel system inspections showed the right tank was empty, while the left tank contained approximately 25 liters. The fuel selector valve was found in a position between BOTH and LEFT, though post-accident analysis indicated it was set to the left tank before the crash. No pre-accident mechanical failures were identified in the engine or fuel system. ## Operational Context The pilot worked for an aerial advertising company as both an operations director and pilot. The company had leased the D-ELBW for banner towing operations from July to mid-September. However, the company had not yet obtained the necessary authorization from the DGAC to operate this specific aircraft for banner towing. Additionally, Aena's approval for the day's operations only covered a different aircraft, a PA-28, and did not include the D-ELBW.