1950-01-19: Casa 352 (T.2-143) — Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire — Tobarra, Spain

16 fatalitiesTobarra, SpainLanding (descent or approach)

A CASA 352 aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its descent to Albacete, resulting in the deaths of all sixteen people on board.

What happened

A CASA 352 was performing a ferry flight from Murcia-San Javier Air Force Base to Albacete. The mission involved transporting 13 passengers, all of whom were pilots, along with a crew of three, to facilitate the delivery of two additional aircraft intended for the Spanish Air Academy at San Javier.

During the approach phase of the flight, the aircraft began its descent toward Albacete. While navigating the terrain, the plane struck a mountain slope situated approximately 6 km northeast of Tobarra. The impact occurred during the descent, and the debris field was later located roughly 40 km southeast of Albacete Airport.

Findings

All 16 fatalities were recorded following the impact. Investigations into the accident suggest that the primary factor was an unexplained descent to an insufficient altitude, which led the aircraft into the terrain.

Probable cause

The crew descended below a safe altitude during the approach, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.