Investigation Summary
The flight departed Vigo at 15:40 local time, cleared for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Flight Level 95. During the transit, the crew reported that their VHF radio equipment was out of order and requested the Barajas Tower to stand by on a high-frequency (HF) channel. At 17:10, Madrid Control cleared the aircraft to proceed directly to the Barajas radio range while maintaining FL95. The final communication occurred at 17:15 when the aircraft was authorized to switch frequencies to contact the tower. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft impacted the mountain and burst into flames. Search efforts were significantly delayed by torrential rain, high winds, and heavy snow in the rugged terrain. The investigation highlighted that while a flight 40 minutes earlier had reported only light icing, conditions had likely deteriorated rapidly into severe icing that could render the Languedoc's mechanical de-icing equipment ineffective.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded the accident was a result of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) precipitated by severe icing. The captain likely initiated a descent to reach warmer air below the freezing level (estimated at 2,200 meters) to shed ice, but did so before safely clearing the mountain range. Contributing factors included severe turbulence, potential downdrafts on the lee slope of the mountains, and a possible navigational error regarding the aircraft's exact position relative to the mountain divide.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Mechanical De-icing Equipment
The aircraft was equipped with mechanical de-icers which the investigation noted were practically inoperative under conditions of sudden, severe icing.
VHF Radio
The Very High Frequency radio system failed during the flight, forcing the crew to communicate via 3023.5 kc/s HF frequency.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a French-built SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc manufactured in 1946 (msn 28).
- 02All 21 occupants, consisting of 16 passengers and 5 crew members, perished in the crash.
- 03The crash site was located at an altitude of 1,999 meters, which was roughly 800 meters below the assigned altitude of Flight Level 95.
- 04Search and rescue operations were severely hampered by fog, snow, and torrential rain.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Operational Limitations of Mechanical De-icing
Source ↗The investigation highlighted that mechanical de-icing equipment on the Languedoc was insufficient for sudden, severe icing conditions. Pilots were cautioned that such systems might become inoperative in extreme weather, necessitating early tactical descents or route changes before ice accumulation becomes critical.