What happened
On May 25, 2024, at approximately 13:58 local time, a CESSNA 172N, registration EC-GLO, operated by Airpilot Escuela de Vuelo, was conducting a flight training mission from Valladolid to Cuatro Vientos. The flight, involving an instructor and a student pilot, was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) but simulating instrument flight procedures using GPS navigation.
While descending through approximately 4,000 ft near Villanueva del Pardillo, Madrid, the aircraft struck a large bird on the leading edge of the left wing. The impact caused the aircraft to roll and yaw to the left, affecting its maneuverability. The instructor immediately took control of the aircraft, applied power, and used right-wing trim and rudder to stabilize the flight.
Following the strike, the instructor declared an emergency with Madrid Control and requested a direct route to Cuatro Vientos. To avoid uncertain handling characteristics during left-hand turns, the instructor opted for a wide right-hand traffic pattern for runway 27. The aircraft landed safely without further incident, and both occupants remained uninjured.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the collision and the crew's situational awareness. Investigators examined the aircraft's damage, which included deformations to the leading edge, loss of the wing tip, and cracks in the wing spar near the fuel tank.
Analysis of the flight environment revealed that the aircraft was operating in an area, at a time of day, and at an altitude highly conducive to the presence of large soaring birds, specifically vultures. The investigation also reviewed the crew's actions, noting that the student pilot was focused on the instruments to simulate instrument flight, while the instructor was looking toward the right side of the aircraft at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the impact with a large bird, likely a Griffon vulture.
- The crew's external visual scanning was inadequate for VFR operations because the student pilot was focused on the instruments for training purposes, and the instructor was looking in the opposite direction of the impact.
- The flight profile (altitude, time, and location) significantly increased the probability of encountering large birds.
- The instructor's decision to land with flaps retracted and to use a right-hand pattern was a prudent response to the aircraft's altered handling characteristics.