What happened
On February 2, 2006, at approximately 16:10 UTC, an unregistered BRM Land África Impala ultralight aircraft was conducting a local flight at Viseu Aerodrome with a pilot and one passenger on board. The flight lasted approximately one hour and ten minutes before the aircraft returned to the airfield for landing.
During the approach to runway 01, the aircraft was flying too high. The pilot attempted to descend to the ideal profile, but the landing was hard and resulted in a bounce. With a 10-knot crosswind from the east, the aircraft bounced and veered sharply to the left, rotating to a heading of approximately 280 degrees. In an attempt to regain altitude and avoid the aerodrome control tower, the pilot applied full power and pulled back on the control column. However, the aircraft remained in a high angle of attack and failed to gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft subsequently struck a light pole, then collided with the canopy of a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to spin 180 degrees and slide through the branches before the tail struck the ground, causing the aircraft to capsize.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the pilot's flight technique and the adequacy of the transition training. Investigators examined the aircraft's wreckage, noting significant damage to the fuselage, landing gear, and wings, as well as damage to the light pole and tree.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training history. It was established that the pilot had obtained his ultralight license in an aircraft without flaps and had not been properly instructed on the use or purpose of the flap system on the Impala. During his recent adaptation flights, the instructor had operated the flaps for him, and the pilot had expressed reluctance to use them. Consequently, during the flight in question, the pilot operated the aircraft with the flaps in a neutral position. Furthermore, the pilot had not thoroughly reviewed the aircraft's Operating Manual.