What happened
On 19 December 2002, a Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian, registration N-53328, departed from Son Bonet Aerodrome on the island of Majorca for a private flight to Sabadell. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft deviated from its intended course and entered the Palma de Mallorca control zone (CTR), causing a near-miss with a commercial passenger flight.
Air traffic control instructed the pilot to head north to exit the controlled airspace. During this maneuver, the aircraft proceeded into a mountainous region where weather conditions had deteriorated. While flying in level flight at approximately 2,000 feet, the aircraft struck a steep, SE-facing rocky wall of Mount Mola de Son Montserrat. The impact caused an explosion and subsequent fire, destroying the aircraft. There were three fatalities among the pilot and two passengers.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight history, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's actions. The investigation established that while weather at the departure aerodrome was within Visual Flight Rules (VFR) limits, visibility and cloud ceilings were significantly reduced in the northern mountainous areas of the island.
Investigators analyzed the communication between the pilot and air traffic control, noting that a query from the controller regarding a specific waypoint may have confused the pilot. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting approximately 106 hours in the aircraft type, and assessed the aircraft's maintenance and airworthiness, finding no mechanical issues that contributed to the crash.
Findings
- The pilot was operating under VFR but entered an area where marginal VMC conditions existed, including thick fog and cloud cover over the mountains.
- The aircraft's entry into the Palma de Mallorca CTR likely caused a near-miss with another aircraft, which may have increased the pilot's workload and contributed to disorientation.
- The pilot's response to air traffic control regarding a specific flight path may have been influenced by confusion, leading the aircraft to continue on a northerly course into terrain.
- The pilot likely failed to maintain visual contact with the ground due to the obscured terrain and the lack of adequate flight preparation regarding the changing weather conditions.