The deadliest air disaster in Spain in 25 years, killing 154 of 172 people aboard and accelerating Spanair's eventual collapse.
Key Facts
- Date of crash
- 20 August 2008
- Deaths
- 154 people
- Survivors
- 18 people
- Total aboard
- 172 people
- Aircraft type
- McDonnell Douglas MD-82
- Registration
- EC-HFP
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Spanair Flight 5022 was a scheduled domestic passenger service from Barcelona to Gran Canaria via Madrid-Barajas Airport. The MD-82 aircraft, registration EC-HFP, attempted take-off from runway 36L at Madrid-Barajas on 20 August 2008 under circumstances that led to a loss of control immediately after becoming airborne.
At 14:24 CEST on 20 August 2008, the aircraft crashed just after take-off from runway 36L at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Of the 172 passengers and crew on board, 154 died and only 18 survived, making it the worst aviation accident in Spain in 25 years and the first fatal accident in Spanair's history.
The crash severely damaged Spanair's public image and compounded existing financial difficulties for the airline. Spanair ultimately ceased all operations on 27 January 2012. The disaster prompted renewed scrutiny of aviation safety procedures and aircraft maintenance practices in Spain.