What happened
On the night of October 10, 2019, a Diamond DA-40, registration EC-JSX, operated by Aerolink Air Service, crashed in the municipality of Salomó, Tarragona. The flight, a night VFR instructional mission, departed from Sabadell airport at 18:03 local time with an instructor and a student pilot on board. The planned route included simulated ILS approaches at Girona before proceeding to Reus.
During the flight, the crew intercepted the localizer for runway 25 at Reus at 4,200 feet. While descending, the aircraft began to deviate from the localizer. Radar data indicated that at 20:19, while descending at 894 ft/min, the aircraft entered a right turn that moved it away from the localizer. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's movements became erratic on radar, and it disappeared from coverage at 20:20. The aircraft impacted the terrain at a high vertical angle, striking a farm fence and vineyards. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined radar tracks, communications, and the wreckage. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or components detaching prior to impact. Analysis of the impact marks suggested the aircraft was in a state of significant flight control loss and lacked visual contact with the ground at the time of impact.
Crucially, the investigation reviewed the meteorological reports and flight planning. While the flight was conducted under VFR, the crew was practicing instrument-style approaches. The investigation noted that the crew continued the approach despite receiving multiple warnings from air traffic control regarding deteriorating weather and IMC conditions at the destination airport.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to adhere to VFR flight procedures.
- A significant contributing factor was the crew's inadequate analysis of the weather conditions at the destination airport during the planning of the night VFR flight.
- The crew proceeded with the approach despite knowing that the cloud ceiling was descending and that conditions would soon be below VFR minimums.
- The aircraft entered IMC conditions, leading to spatial disorientation and erratic flight maneuvers.