3 fatalities

2002-12-19: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (N53328) — Gavina — Bunyola, Spain

Bunyola, SpainFlight

On December 19, 2002, a Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (registration N53328) operated by Gavina was involved in an aviation accident near Bunyola, Spain in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was likely caused by the pilot flying under visual flight rules in marginal weather conditions, potentially due to spatial disorientation or insufficient flight preparation. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781201426Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane crashed into a mountain in Mallorca during a flight from Palma de Mallorca-Son Bonet Airport, resulting in three fatalities.

What happened

On the morning of the accident, a single-engine aircraft departed from Palma de Mallorca-Son Bonet Airport at 11:46 local time. The flight was destined for Sabadell and carried a total of three people, including one pilot and two passengers.

Shortly after takeoff, air traffic control directed the pilot to head in a northerly direction. Approximately seven minutes into the flight, while operating in weather conditions characterized by rain and reduced visibility, the plane collided with a rocky wall on Mt Mola de Montserra. The impact occurred at an elevation of 600 meters near the village of Bunyola, roughly 20 kilometers north of its departure point. The collision caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and all three occupants were killed.

At the time of the crash, meteorological conditions included a ceiling of 5,000 feet and visibility of 8 km amidst rainfall. Additionally, thick fog and clouds obscured the mountain peak.

Findings

Investigations into the accident suggest that the primary factor was the operation of the aircraft under VFR rules within marginal VMC conditions. It is believed that the pilot may have experienced disorientation or failed to adequately prepare for the flight conditions, leading the plane into an area where visibility was insufficient for safe visual navigation.

Probable cause

The accident was likely caused by the pilot flying under visual flight rules in marginal weather conditions, potentially due to spatial disorientation or insufficient flight preparation.