Cirrus SR22 GTS Incident at Melilla Airport (EC-JXL)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On September 26, 2010, a private Cirrus SR22 GTS with registration EC-JXL departed Granada Airport (LEGR) at 10:55 local time for Melilla Airport (GEML). The aircraft was carrying four people, including the pilot in command and a more experienced pilot seated to the right. The flight was a general aviation pleasure flight. The aircraft joined the final segment of the runway 33 circuit at 11:50 local time with visibility exceeding 10 km and partial cloud cover at 3,000 ft. The aircraft was configured for landing and completely stabilized. Before landing, air traffic control reported a slightly variable headwind with a small component from the left. The pilot initiated the flare maneuver over the threshold, resulting in a first contact with the runway. The aircraft lifted slightly after contact, and the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver following instructions from the more experienced pilot. However, the pilot cut the throttle to attempt a second landing, believing there was sufficient runway length remaining. The aircraft touched down a second time and became destabilized. The more experienced passenger attempted to take control of the aircraft but was unsuccessful. The aircraft then crashed to the ground and exited the right edge of the runway, coming to rest on the right runway edge line, approximately 620 m from the runway 33 threshold. The entire maneuver was observed by air traffic controllers in the control tower, whose description of the aircraft's trajectory and movements matched the crew's account. All occupants were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft on their own. The aircraft sustained the collapse of the right landing gear leg, and damage to the nose gear, propeller, and right wing, primarily affecting the flap. The pilot held a private pilot license (PPL(A)) since November 2006, with 161 total flight hours, 105 of which were in the type. The pilot's license and medical certificate were valid. The accompanying pilot held a commercial pilot license (CPL(A)) since May 2005, with 970 total flight hours, 270 of which were in the type. The accompanying pilot also held an instrument rating (IR(A)) and flight instructor rating (FI(A)). The accompanying pilot's license, ratings, and medical certificate were valid. Meteorological reports (METAR) immediately prior to the incident indicated wind speeds between 8 and 10 kt, with an approximate direction of 300° and variations between 260° and 320°. Horizontal visibility was good, with partial cloud cover at altitudes above 2,400 ft and sparse cloud cover between 1,000 ft and 2,000 ft. ## Analysis and Probable Cause The METAR data confirmed that the information provided to the crew by air traffic control was correct. The crew had a headwind (between 8 kt and 10 kt) with a small component from the left. Although the crew confirmed they initiated the final approach with the aircraft stabilized, it could not be confirmed with certainty whether the pilot considered the wind component from the left, which could have caused some destabilization in the final segment of the approach. However, the information gathered suggests that no special consideration was given to the lateral wind component. The probable cause of the aircraft lifting after the first contact was, on the one hand, excessive speed and, on the other, over-control by the pilot during the flare. Once the aircraft lifted, the more experienced pilot required the pilot to continue with a go-around maneuver, but the pilot cut the throttle and attempted to complete the landing. After the first contact, it is probable that the aircraft no longer had sufficient speed due to energy loss and entered a stall. The probable cause of the incident was the stall of the aircraft after cutting the throttle following the first contact with the runway, which caused the aircraft to crash to the ground in an uncontrolled manner. Lack of coordination between the crew members is considered a contributing factor.