Accident Overview
On a night charter flight from Funchal-Santa Cruz Madeira Airport to Málaga, a twin-engine aircraft departed runway 05 at 2154 local time. The aircraft carried one pilot and nine passengers: three men, three women, and three children aged 2, 4, and 7.
Sequence of Events
During the initial climb, at an altitude of 2,200 feet, the aircraft entered a cloud. Shortly after, it began a left turn and entered an uncontrolled descent. Forty seconds later, the aircraft crashed into the sea less than one kilometer offshore, northeast of Caniçal. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate. All ten occupants were killed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the exact cause of the accident could not be established with certainty. However, investigators believe the pilot lost control of the aircraft after experiencing spatial disorientation.