Although the pilot in command had said he was entering the hold according to the Spanish air traffic controller's instructions, he actually turned the aircraft to the left towards the southeast into an area of high ground, where the minimum safe altitude was 14,500 feet (4,400 m).
Aínda que o piloto ao mando dixera que entrara na espera segundo as instrucións dos controladores de tráfico aéreo, realmente virou o avión á esquerda cara o sueste en dirección a unha zona de terreo alto onde a altura mínima de seguridade era de 14 500 pés (4 400 m).