Incident Overview

Date: Monday 13 August 1973
Aircraft Type: Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle 10R
Owner/operator: Aviaco
Registration Number: EC-BIC
Location: 3 km NE of La Coru¤a Airport (LCG) – ÿ Spain
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 85 / Occupants: 85
Component Affected: The flight crew’s actions and decisions, specifically the decision to hold over Lima Romeo Alpha, the subsequent approach, and the subsequent resumption of the approach, all represent a potential violation of established flight regulations and Spanish airspace rules.The flight crew’s actions and decisions, specifically the decision to hold over Lima Romeo Alpha, the subsequent approach, and the subsequent resumption of the approach, all represent a potential violation of established flight regulations and Spanish airspace rules.
Category: Accident
The Caravelle aircraft experienced a significant incident during its approach to La Coru¤a Airport on 08:30 GMT. Initial radio contact with the tower revealed a planned approach, but subsequent communication indicated a potential issue with weather and a decision to hold over Lima Romeo Alpha. The crew then initiated a holding procedure, ultimately concluding with a resumption of the approach, culminating in a collision with trees and houses. The incident highlights a potential violation of regulations and international standards concerning flight over national territory and Spain.The Caravelle aircraft experienced a significant incident during its approach to La Coru¤a Airport on 08:30 GMT. Initial radio contact with the tower revealed a planned approach, but subsequent communication indicated a potential issue with weather and a decision to hold over Lima Romeo Alpha. The crew then initiated a holding procedure, ultimately concluding with a resumption of the approach, culminating in a collision with trees and houses. The incident highlights a potential violation of regulations and international standards concerning flight over national territory and Spain.

Description

The Caravelle aircraft took off from Madrid-Barajas Airport at 08:30 GMT and proceeded normally to La Coru¤a Airport. At 09:14 radio contact was made with La Coru¤a tower and the flight crew reported 3 minutes away. The tower controller informed the flight that weather at the airport was below minima and that improvement would be slow. The flight crew then decided to hold over Lima Romeo Alpha and said they would report when holding. Shortly thereafter they informed the tower that they would make an approach down to minima to get a more precise idea of the weather and would hold thereafter. The controller switched on the VASIS and at 09:21 informed the flight that visibility was around 350 m, although he could not see the VASIS at the threshold of runway 22. The flight then reported at 3000 feet beginning the approach. At 09:23 the controller reported a visibility of 600 m. At 09:24 the pilot said he would attempt to land, that he was 2200 feet on approach and had not yet entered clouds. At 09:28 ATC reported 800 m visibility, but that a light breeze was coming up and fog was again closing in from the sea. The crew reported to the tower that they had descended to minima. Since the ground could not be seen, they would therefore begin to hold. At 09:32 the flight crew reported holding at 6000 feet and requested to be informed of any change that might take place. At 09:34 the controller reported a visibility of 400 m, that the VASIS was still visible. The flight crew then tried to make another attempt to land. At 09:36 the flight crew reported passing the LRA VOR on approach. The controller answered that the lights of the VASIS were no longer visible and that some fog had collected over the runway threshold. The pilot then decided to resume holding. Weather gradually improved and at 10:20 ATC reported a horizontal visibility of 1500 m and a vertical visibility of 150 m which improved to 250-300 m within three minutes. The pilot acknowledged and said he was leaving 5000 feet for approach. At 10:31 the flight reported passing LRA. At 10:32 the flight reported discontinuing the approach and 6 minutes later the pilot said he was initiating another approach and would report over LRA. At 10:39 the pilot reported over LRA again. Shortly afterward the Caravelle contacted eucalyptus trees, struck the ground, and collided with houses. A fire erupted. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Pilot violation of the regulations and instructions governing flight over national territory, and the international standards in force in Spain.”

Primary Cause

Pilot violation of regulations and instructions governing flight over national territory, and the international standards in force in Spain.Pilot violation of regulations and instructions governing flight over national territory, and the international standards in force in Spain.

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