Aircraft impact near Mt Geitarhilð during flight to Selfoss

1 fatality • Mt Geitarhilđ, Iceland • Flight

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountainside in Iceland's Southern Region while operating under visual flight rules in IMC conditions.

What happened

A scheduled flight departed from Reykjavik Airport, bound for Selfoss in the Southern Region. During the transit, the aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) despite being in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). While navigating the area, the aircraft collided with the slope of Mt Geitarhilđ, situated near Lake Kleif, approximately 20 km south of Reykjavik.

The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There was one fatality involving the pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident.

Findings

Investigations into the accident indicate that the pilot failed to maintain a safe altitude while flying in weather conditions that obscured visibility. The collision with the terrain occurred because the aircraft's elevation was insufficient to clear the mountain slope during the flight.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying under VFR in IMC conditions led to the terrain impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-06-30 Partenavia P.68 accident near Mt Geitarhilđ, Iceland?

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountainside in Iceland's Southern Region while operating under visual flight rules in IMC conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 1995-06-30 Partenavia P.68 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-06-30 involved a Partenavia P.68, registration TF-VEN, operated by Private Icelandic, at Mt Geitarhilđ, Iceland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying under VFR in IMC conditions led to the terrain impact.

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