Incident
On 30 May 2023, at approximately 15:47 local time, a Reims Aviation SA F172H, registration EC-CXP, was on a private flight from Cuatro Vientos Airport (Madrid) to Robledillo de Mohernando Aerodrome (Guadalajara, Spain). During the final leg of the aerodrome traffic circuit, an adult griffon vulture struck the right wing strut of the aircraft, causing the bird's instant death. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. The three occupants—the pilot and two passengers—were uninjured.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Reims Aviation SA F172H, serial number 0367, manufactured in 1967. It was registered in Spain as EC-CXP and owned by Aviation VIP. The aircraft had a single Continental O-300-D engine and a maximum takeoff mass of 1043 kg. Its Certificate of Airworthiness was issued on 4 September 2019 by AESA, and the Certificate of Review of Airworthiness was valid at the time of the incident.
Pilot
The pilot, a 26-year-old Spanish national, held a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) first issued on 28 May 2021. He had a SEP(land)/SP rating valid until 31 May 2023, and a valid Class 2 medical certificate until 15 February 2026. His total flight experience was 62 hours and 10 minutes.
Weather
Meteorological conditions near the aerodrome were derived from observations at two nearby stations. At the time of the incident (approximately 13:45 UTC), average winds were light, varying from westerly to easterly at around 2.5 knots at Guadalajara and 0.6 knots at Pantano el Vado. Peak gusts reached 4.9 knots and 1.4 knots, respectively. The sky was overcast, with precipitation recorded between 13:00 and 13:20 UTC at Pantano el Vado and between 13:40 and 14:10 UTC at Guadalajara. Visibility at Guadalajara was above 10 km, decreasing below that threshold at times.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The bird's body was not recovered, but video footage recorded by one of the passengers confirmed the collision with an adult griffon vulture. The aircraft sustained no damage. The investigation determined that the incident was caused by a bird strike that could not be anticipated or avoided by the pilot.
Probable Cause
The cause of the incident was a bird strike that could not be anticipated or avoided by the pilot.
Safety Recommendation
The investigation issued one safety recommendation to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Spain), though the specifics are not detailed in this report.