What happened
On 17 October 2007, a Britten-Norman Islander, registration G-CHES, was conducting a reconnaissance flight over the Sierra Morena and Seville provinces to evaluate potential landing sites. During the morning, the pilot landed at an unintended temporary airstrip known as Los Tomillares, located approximately five kilometers southwest of Guadalcanal. This strip was significantly shorter than the intended destination. To facilitate a departure from this location, the pilot requested assistance and was joined by an experienced crew advisor.
To prepare for the next leg of the flight, the crew refueled the aircraft using 250 liters of AV100LL gasoline transported in plastic drums. Before departing, the two pilots inspected the uncompacted dirt surface, estimating the runway length by counting steps and assessing the gradient. They decided to take off toward the southeast to utilize a favorable slope.
At approximately 19:30, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. Shortly after becoming airborne, the right engine suffered a partial failure, causing the aircraft to yaw sharply to the right. The pilot in command requested that the accompanying pilot take control of the flight instruments while he attempted to restore power. Although the crew managed to stabilize the aircraft's direction using left rudder, the right engine suddenly returned to full power. This sudden surge caused the aircraft to veer left toward rising terrain. The aircraft struck bushes with the left wingtip, followed by the left landing gear and the forward fuselage after crossing a small riverbed. The aircraft sustained heavy damage and was destroyed, though there were 0 fatalities and no post-impact fire.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating from a short, uncompacted dirt runway.
- A partial engine failure on the right engine caused an initial loss of directional control.
- The sudden restoration of power to the right engine caused a secondary, uncontrollable veer toward higher ground.