What happened
On June 13, 2019, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight from Keflavík Airport, traveling along the west coast of Iceland toward Bíldudalur. While flying near the Látrabjarg cliffs, the pilot descended to an altitude of between 1,500 and 2,000 feet to observe the landscape. During this period, the aircraft encountered a strong downdraft.
In an attempt to avoid the unstable air over the ocean, the pilot decided to maneuver closer to the cliffs to find land. The pilot identified a gap or depression in the cliff line and attempted to fly into this area to gain altitude over land. However, the aircraft was unable to climb sufficiently, resulting in a crash into the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the Diamond DA-40, registration TF-KFC, sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The RNSA investigation examined weather patterns and the flight path of the aircraft. Meteorological data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office confirmed that at the time of the accident, a strong northerly wind of approximately 15 knots was present. Radar tracking showed the aircraft was at an altitude of roughly 3,100 feet prior to the descent toward the cliffs.
The investigation focused on the interaction between the wind direction and the local topography. The RNSA examined the pilot's decision-making process regarding the transition from flying over the sea to flying near the cliff edge and the aircraft's performance capabilities during the encounter with the downdraft.
Findings
- The presence of a strong northerly wind near the cliffs of Látrabjarg created predictable downdrafts on the southern side of the cliffs.
- While the pilot was aware of the wind conditions, they failed to realize that the specific wind direction would generate the downward air currents encountered.
- The pilot's decision to fly below the cliff edge for sightseeing contributed to the encounter with the unstable air.
- The aircraft's engine did not have sufficient power to regain the necessary altitude to clear the terrain once the downdraft was encountered.