Aircraft impact on Mt Mola de Montserra near Bunyola

3 fatalities • Bunyola, Spain • Flight

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain near Bunyola, Spain, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.

What happened

At 11:46 local time, a single-engine aircraft departed from Palma de Mallorca-Son Bonet Airport, bound for Sabadell. The flight was operated with a pilot and two passengers on board. Shortly after takeoff, air traffic control directed the pilot to head in a northerly direction.

Approximately seven minutes into the flight, the aircraft collided with a rocky wall on Mt Mola de Montserra, a peak reaching 600 meters in height. The impact occurred near the village of Bunyola, roughly 20 km north of the departure airport. The collision caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all three occupants were killed in the accident.

Findings

At the time of the collision, weather conditions were poor. While the visibility was reported at 8 km, the area was experiencing rainfall. The mountain itself was obscured by thick fog and cloud cover, which significantly reduced visibility during the flight phase.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountain peak while flying in heavy fog and rain.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-12-19 Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident near Bunyola, Spain?

A single-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain near Bunyola, Spain, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 2002-12-19 Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-12-19 involved a Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class), registration N53328, operated by Gavina, at Bunyola, Spain.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck a mountain peak while flying in heavy fog and rain.

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