Summary
On 15 September 2019, a Cirrus SR22 aircraft, registration F-HAMP, crashed in the municipality of Pedreguer (Alicante, Spain). The aircraft was participating in the Raid Latécoère Aéropostale air rally, a multi-stage event that began on 14 September in Toulouse, France, and was scheduled to conclude on 28 September in Perpignan, France. The pilot and passenger on board were killed.
Flight History
The second stage of the rally on 15 September planned a route from Pinar de Castellon aerodrome (LECN) to La Axarquia aerodrome (LEAX), with a refueling stop at Requena aerodrome (LERE). Due to limiting weather conditions at Requena for visual flight, the destination was changed to Mutxamel aerodrome (LEMU) after several hours of waiting. The accident aircraft took off from Castellon at 15:16 local time. It flew over reporting points SOPET and COMPI over the Mediterranean Sea. From COMPI, the aircraft continued on the same heading toward point MITOS, flying inland instead of navigating around Cape Nao. Radar data showed the aircraft remained at an altitude of 800 ft when it should have climbed to 4,500 ft to avoid obstacles. While flying over the municipality of Pedreguer, the accident occurred.
Aircraft and Personnel
The aircraft was a Cirrus SR22, a single-engine piston aircraft. The pilot held a private pilot license. The passenger was also on board. No further personnel information is provided in the source.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather conditions along the route were challenging for visual flight. At Requena, conditions were limiting to VFR, prompting the destination change. The aircraft eventually encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that exceeded the limitations of visual flight.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft crashed in a rural area in Pedreguer. The wreckage was examined by investigators. Detailed wreckage and impact information is described in the official report but is not reproduced here to maintain originality.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident occurred as a result of the flight continuing under visual flight rules (VFR) in weather conditions requiring flight under instrument flight rules (IMC), which caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the planning and organizational deficiencies of the air rally that led to the flight being carried out in conditions that exceeded the limitations of visual flight.