What happened
On November 12, 2015, a Tecnam P2002JF, registration TF-IFC, was conducting a training flight near Reykjavik Airport. The flight was intended to familiarize one of the two instructors on board with the aircraft, which was a new addition to the flight school's fleet with only 16 hours of total time. After performing several touch-and-go landings at Reykjavik Airport, the aircraft proceeded to the MIÐSVÆÐI training area.
While executing low-speed 180-degree turns in the training area, the aircraft likely entered a spin. Radar data indicated the aircraft was flying at speeds near its minimum safe airspeed and at altitudes between 1,900 and 2,450 feet, which was below the flight school's established minimum altitude of 3,000 feet. The aircraft collided with the ground at Hafnarfjarðarhraun, resulting in two fatalities. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
The investigation
The RNSA examined the flight records, radar plots, and aircraft maintenance history. The investigation noted that the aircraft's weight and balance documentation contained inaccuracies, suggesting the aircraft was likely operating at its forward center of gravity limit and potentially at its maximum takeoff weight. Investigators also found that some cockpit instruments and placards did not align with the Aircraft Flight Manual.
Environmental factors were also reviewed, including the fact that the aircraft's final recorded track was heading toward the sun, which may have impaired the pilots' vision. While the weather was generally clear, the presence of snow showers in the vicinity suggested possible convective activity or icing conditions.