Engine Failure and Loss of Control in Cessna 152 near Praia de São João da Caparica

Casualties unknown • Caparica, PT

A training flight involving a Cessna 152 experienced an in-flight engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control over water near the Portuguese coast.

What happened

On August 2, 2017, at 15:51 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration CS-AVA, operated by EAA - Escola de Aviação Aerocondor, was conducting a training flight near Praia de São João da Caparica, Portugal. During the flight, the aircraft experienced an in-flight engine shutdown, which subsequently led to a loss of control. The aircraft was operating in an area where the flight path over water presented a risk of an emergency ditching.

The investigation

The GPIAAF investigation examined the mechanical and operational aspects of the occurrence, focusing on the engine's failure and the crew's response. The investigation reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, the fuel system, and the carburetor mechanism. Additionally, the investigators scrutinized the flight school's operational procedures, specifically the Standard Operating Procedures (ESOP) used by the crew, and compared them against the aircraft's Pilot Operating Handbook (POH). The investigation also looked into the instructor's management of the emergency and the school's risk analysis regarding over-water operations.

Findings

  • The investigation identified that the aircraft's ESOP did not reflect significant changes found in the aircraft's POH and was not validated by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).
  • There was a lack of a formal operational risk analysis for the flight school regarding single-engine land operations at Cascais Airport (LPCS), particularly concerning the risks associated with flying over water.
  • The instructor's management of the emergency and the techniques used during the loss of control indicated a lack of standardized emergency procedures.
  • A significant increase in incidents involving training flights and the direct involvement of instructors in recent national occurrences was noted.

Safety action

  • Safety Recommendation No. 15/2018: It is recommended that the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) evaluate the current flight instructor standardization process within Approved Training Organizations (ATOs), proposing and implementing improvements to the evaluation of instructor performance.

Probable cause

The engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control were linked to a lack of standardized emergency management and inadequate operational risk assessment for over-water flight segments.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-08-02 Cessna 152 accident near Caparica, PT?

A training flight involving a Cessna 152 experienced an in-flight engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control over water near the Portuguese coast.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-08-02 involved a Cessna 152, registration CS-AVA, at Caparica, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control were linked to a lack of standardized emergency management and inadequate operational risk assessment for over-water flight segments.

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