What happened
On April 13, 1993, at approximately 17:10 local time, a Cessna 150, registration CS-ASV, crashed near Guincho Beach in the Cascais municipality. The aircraft had departed from Tires Aerodrome at 16:25 for a solo instructional flight. During the flight, the pilot transmitted a "mayday" distress call at 16:10:33, but no further communication was received from the aircraft.
Witnesses observed the aircraft performing low-altitude turns, estimated between 700 and 800 feet. The final maneuver involved a left-hand turn that became increasingly tight and descending. The aircraft struck trees and the ground with its left wing low, causing the engine to impact the terrain. The impact triggered a massive fire that destroyed the aircraft and burned approximately 5,000 m² of surrounding vegetation. The pilot, a 19-year-old student, sustained fatal injuries upon impact.
The investigation
Investigators from the DGAC examined the wreckage and the accident site. Although the aircraft was completely consumed by fire, the investigation established that the engine was operating normally at the moment of impact and no structural or control failures were present. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, medical history, and personal life, finding no evidence of impairment, illness, or external stressors that could have contributed to the accident.
While the investigation could not determine the specific reason for the tight, descending turn, it noted that the pilot's training progress had been inconsistent, leading to an unusually high number of dual-instruction hours (42 hours) before being cleared for solo flight.
Findings
- The aircraft was in an airworthy condition with a functional engine at the time of the accident.
- The pilot was performing a left-hand turn at a low altitude (below 1,000 feet).
- The aircraft entered a tight turn at low altitude, which likely led to an aerodynamic stall or loss of control due to an abnormal bank angle.
- The pilot's high number of instructional hours prior to solo flight indicated a lack of sufficient confidence and experience to manage abnormal flight conditions.