What happened
On September 1, 2004, a Piper PA-36-375, registration EC-EEX, was performing a ferry flight from Beas de Segura to Isla Mayor. The aircraft, operated by Aviones de Fumigación Agrícola, S. A. (ADEFA), was being flown by a commercial pilot under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). After departing at 12:30 local time, the pilot climbed to 5,000 feet, utilizing a portable Garmin 12 GPS for navigation.
During the flight, the pilot became disoriented and descended to seek ground references. Due to errors in interpreting terrain and navigating via the portable device, the pilot inadvertently flew over the sea before returning inland, still unable to establish a position. With approximately 30 minutes of fuel remaining, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing on a dirt track between two olive groves near Pizarra, Málaga.
During the final approach, the pilot encountered overhead power lines. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, the pilot performed an evasive maneuver but mistakenly manipulated the hopper discharge lever instead of the throttle. This error resulted in a loss of control, causing the aircraft to strike several olive trees and impact the ground. The pilot survived the crash with no injuries.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the cause of the pilot's disorientation. The investigation examined the use of the portable GPS, the pilot's navigation techniques, and the mechanical inputs made during the emergency approach. The inquiry also reviewed the pilot's error regarding the aircraft's control levers during the avoidance maneuver.
Findings
- The pilot became disoriented because they relied on a portable, battery-powered GPS as the primary navigation aid rather than using visual ground references appropriate for VFR flight.
- The pilot had entered incorrect destination coordinates into the GPS, which contributed to the navigational error.
- The emergency landing was conducted in an unsuitable location due to the presence of unexpected obstacles (power lines) in the descent path.
- The loss of control was caused by the pilot's erroneous manipulation of the aircraft controls, specifically confusing the throttle with the hopper discharge lever while attempting to avoid power lines.