What happened
On December 27, 2016, a Velocity 173RG, registration PH-FUT, departed Tenerife North Airport for a planned flight to Essaouira, Morocco. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed vibrations and notified air traffic control of his intention to return to the airport. As the flight progressed, the vibrations intensified, accompanied by the smell of burning plastic.
Unable to reach the airport, the pilot declared an emergency and opted to perform an emergency landing at Las Teresitas beach. To avoid people on the sand, the pilot targeted the water. During the landing, the aircraft's left wing made initial contact with the water, causing the aircraft to yaw sharply to the left. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on the shoreline. The pilot sustained serious injuries after impacting the instrument panel, while the two passengers remained uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the mechanical failure and the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the right exhaust manifold had fractured. This fracture was characterized by discoloration indicative of gradual material wear.
Technical analysis revealed that the aircraft's exhaust system had been modified by the owner, who had removed the silencer and added metal extension tubes. These components were wrapped in thermal tape to protect the engine cowl from heat. Investigators determined that the fracture of the manifold caused a segment of the assembly to detach and strike the propeller, breaking one of the three blades. This impact caused the severe vibrations reported by the pilot. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot had unfastened his seatbelt to check a passenger's belt and failed to refasten it before the impact.