What happened
On November 25, 2000, an Aerospatiale SN 601 «Corvette», registration EC-DQG, departed Málaga Airport at 05:43 local time, bound for Córdoba Airport. The flight, operating as MYO611, was a positioning mission intended to collect medical personnel from the National Transplant Service to transport them to Zaragoza.
While performing the final approach to runway 21 at Córdoba Airport, the aircraft struck an electric utility pole. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground and continue sliding until it collided with a building located approximately 1,500 meters from the runway threshold. The impact with the structure caused the roof to collapse onto the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the co-pilot suffered serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft was operating in conditions of significantly reduced visibility due to fog, with horizontal visibility at 300 meters and vertical visibility at 500 feet. The investigation examined the crew's use of navigation equipment, specifically the Garmin GNS 430 GPS receiver, and the lack of precision approach aids at Córdoba Airport.
Investigators also reviewed the crew's decision-making process, noting that the aircraft was attempting a precision approach based solely on GPS data without adequate monitoring of terrain separation via the radio altimeter. The investigation also looked into the regulatory framework for humanitarian flights and the delay in the issuance of alert messages by the airport authorities.
Findings
- The crew attempted a precision approach in visibility conditions below VFR minimums using only the aircraft's GPS receiver.
- There was a failure to maintain adequate terrain separation by not effectively monitoring the radio altimeter during the approach.
- The decision to proceed was likely influenced by self-generated pressure to complete an urgent humanitarian mission.
- The pilot's high level of experience and confidence in the GPS navigation system and local airport knowledge contributed to the decision to attempt the approach in fog.
- Córdoba Airport lacked the necessary radio aids to support precision approaches or GPS-based maneuvers.
- The pilot's seat detached upon impact with the ground, leading to fatal injuries.