Sequence of Events
The flight, originating from Melilla, proceeded uneventfully until the crew was cleared to descend to Málaga-Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport. During final approach to runway 32, the engine fire warning light illuminated on the cockpit panel, indicating a fire on the left engine. The copilot notified air traffic control and declared an emergency, after which the crew was cleared to land on runway 32. On short final, both engines stopped. The aircraft stalled and crashed 538 meters short of the runway threshold, coming to rest against the embankment of a motorway.
Casualties and Damage
The captain and three passengers were killed. All other occupants on board sustained injuries, some serious. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the incorrect execution by the crew of the emergency procedure for fire or serious damage to an engine, as outlined in the Flight Operations Manual. This error led to the consecutive shutdown of both engines and a total loss of thrust, impeding the aircraft's continued flight. The emergency procedure was activated in response to a left engine fire warning that later proved to be false.
Contributing Factors
The false fire warning may have been caused by moisture and/or dirt in the connectors of the fire detector circuit. A contributing factor was that the maintenance tasks for that system, as defined in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, did not comply with the manufacturer's recommended methods to prevent humidity. Additionally, crew performance during the emergency procedure was adversely affected by a lack of coordination in piloting tasks, stemming from an absence of Crew Resource Management criteria. The copilot had received insufficient training for the cockpit change, which did not include simulator training for applying emergency procedures.