What happened
On December 7, 2018, at approximately 17:00 local time, a Cessna 177RG, registration D-ECGS, was performing a flight from La Cerdanya to Sabadell Airport. During the final approach phase of the landing circuit, the aircraft's right horizontal stabilizer struck several tree branches located on the extension of the runway axis. Immediately following this contact, the aircraft collided with a building housing a gas station situated near the trees. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's configuration, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. Radar tracking was lost while the aircraft was aligned with the runway axis on final approach. While radar data was unreliable at such low altitudes, eyewitness testimony indicated that the aircraft was flying at an unusually low speed with the landing gear and flaps fully extended.
Investigators also analyzed the impact of the gas station building on local wind patterns. Although the building does not violate ICAO obstacle limitation surfaces and had been previously verified by aviation authorities, it sits within a zone where isolated structures can cause wind disturbances. On the day of the accident, winds were recorded from 2/90 degrees at 13 knots. The investigation considered whether the building caused a longitudinal wind deficit that, when combined with the aircraft's low airspeed, contributed to the loss of control.
Findings
- The investigation established that the pilot was performing an incorrect approach maneuver.
- The aircraft entered a characteristic stall in a landing configuration, characterized by a sudden drop in the nose followed by an attempt to recover with full power.
- The aircraft was flying at a very low airspeed, which may have been exacerbated by wind turbulence caused by the nearby building.
- All required documentation, including the pilot's license, medical certificate, and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, were valid at the time of the event.