Cessna 172-N Incident at Brunete Flight Field (EC-HIK)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On May 8, 2014, a Cessna 172-N with registration EC-HIK, operated by Aerotec Escuela de Pilotos, was conducting a local training flight from Cuatro Vientos aerodrome in Madrid. The aircraft departed at 09:18 local time under flight code AEP580 with an instructor and a student pilot aboard. The student was in the initial phase of an ATPL(A) course and was flying under dual instruction. The objective of the flight was to practice simulated engine-failure maneuvers. After approximately an hour and a half of training in various locations, the crew proceeded to the Brunete flight field for a final exercise before returning to Cuatro Vientos. ## Sequence of Events During the final approach to runway 17 with the throttle at idle, the student pilot, who was at the controls, estimated that the aircraft was too low relative to overhead cables and began to pull back on the controls. The aircraft lost altitude, and the instructor attempted to recover speed and altitude by advancing the throttle and leveling the aircraft. Despite these actions, the main landing gear contacted the top of a slope at the beginning of the area where the runway was located. The aircraft became unstable and deviated to the left, striking a boundary fence and knocking down 10 posts and the associated wire. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 100 meters from the point of impact. The instructor secured the aircraft, and both occupants exited through the right door without sustaining injuries. ## Aircraft Damage The aircraft sustained damage to its wings, landing gear, propeller, and elevator controls. The left wing had three impact marks from the fence posts, and the wingtip had detached. The right wing showed less damage, limited to the wingtip. The elevator controls had minor damage, more significant on the left side. The left main landing gear was completely torn off (structure and wheel) and was found on the runway. The nose wheel had detached from its housing and was found on the left side of the runway strip, while the nose gear structure remained attached to the aircraft. The propeller had minor damage, with no signs of blade twist, and the fence wire was wrapped around it. The exhaust pipe was crushed. ## Personnel and Aircraft Information The instructor was a 26-year-old Spanish national holding a valid CPL(A) license, with 692 total flight hours, 370 hours on type, and 453 hours as an instructor. The student pilot was a 24-year-old Spanish national with 76 total dual flight hours. The aircraft had 14,651 total flight hours and held valid registration, airworthiness, and insurance certificates at the time of the incident. ## Probable Cause The investigation determined that the probable cause of the incident was the aircraft entering a stall. The aircraft was very likely at an altitude lower than established by the procedure, leaving insufficient margin for recovery.