MADRID, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- An investigation into one of the worst plane crashes in Spanish aviation history revealed the accident could have been avoided, officials said.
A new report from Spain's Accident Investigation Commission shows the pilot for Spanair flight JK-5022, which was bound for Gran Canaria from Madrid in 2008, lost control on takeoff when the aircraft's flaps did not unfold, El Mundo reported Tuesday.
The report said the pilot did not carry out necessary cross-checks when the alert system was not working. The system should have warned the pilot if the flaps did not open.
The commission concluded that the accident could have been avoided and blamed the crew for "poor management of resources."
The flight carrying 148 passengers and six members of the crew plunged to the ground shortly after taking off, catching fire upon impact and killing everyone on board.
The commission introduced new rules covering pilots working hours to prevent accidents caused by tiredness and lack of concentration.
