Background
The Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves e de Acidentes Ferroviários (GPIAAF) is the Portuguese state body responsible for investigating civil aviation and rail accidents. In line with its mission to identify causes and prevent occurrences, GPIAAF published a safety study titled "Safety study on general aviation events ALTO – Approach, landing and Take-off Accidents (2011 to 2021)" on November 5, 2021 (Document ID 2021-SS-01).
Study Scope
According to the foreword, "This safety study aims to present information to assist in the prevention of accidents and incidents in national general and light sport aviation." The study focuses on events categorized as ALTO—approach, landing, and take-off occurrences—over the period from 2011 to 2021.
Content Overview
The study is structured into seven main sections:
1. Safety study framework 2. National perspective 3. Selected events 4. Latent conditions 5. Decision making process – action or inaction 6. Consequences 7. Main conclusions
Additionally, Annex I provides detailed descriptions of 20 specific ALTO events, each identified by event number and aircraft registration (e.g., Evento 05/ACCID/2011 CS-DIN). A glossary is included to clarify abbreviations and technical terms such as RE (runway excursion), ARC (abnormal runway contact), and VFR (visual flight rules).
Publication Details
The study was published in both Portuguese and English, with the Portuguese version prevailing in case of discrepancies. It is produced in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and EU Regulation No. 996/2010, emphasizing that the investigation is not intended to apportion blame or liability.