FlightFinder
Check my flight
3 fatalities

Fatal Mountain Strike Near Bunyola Involving a Single-Engine Aircraft (N53328)

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: It is believed that the accident occurred as a result of the marginal VMC conditions which existed in the area where the aircraft was flying under VFR rules. 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 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft with three people aboard struck a rocky wall on Mt Mola de Montserra near Bunyola, killing all occupants. The crash occurred in reduced visibility due to rain, cloud, and fog.

Flight Details and Departure A single-engine airplane departed Palma de Mallorca-Son Bonet Airport at 1146LT on a flight to Sabadell. The aircraft carried two passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, air traffic control instructed the pilot to proceed to the north. ## Accident Sequence Seven minutes after departure, the aircraft was flying in reduced visibility caused by rain. It struck a rocky wall on Mt Mola de Montserra, a 600-metre-high mountain near the village of Bunyola, about 20 km north of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all three occupants were killed. ## Weather and Environmental Conditions At the time of the accident, the ceiling was 5,000 feet, visibility was 8 km, and rain was present. The mountain was shrouded in cloud and thick fog.

Probable cause

It is believed that the accident occurred as a result of the marginal VMC conditions which existed in the area where the aircraft was flying under VFR rules. The aircraft entered this area possibly due to the pilot’s disorientation and inadequate preparation and execution of the flight.
Weather

Related events

Same aircraft family

Same operator

More accident analyses