Accident Overview
On 15 May 1999, at approximately 12:15 UTC, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140, registration CS-DBG, was involved in an accident at Portimão Aerodrome. The aircraft had departed for a local flight with a pilot and two passengers on board. While in the downwind position for a touch-and-go landing, the pilot decided to demonstrate an engine failure, reducing power to idle and continuing the circuit in a glide. During the turn to final, the aircraft overshot the final approach axis and entered a stall. The pilot applied full power in an attempt to recover, but the aircraft did not gain altitude or speed and subsequently struck a hedge of quince bushes.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained considerable damage: the wings were torn off at the roots, the propeller was destroyed, and the fuselage suffered significant damage from overturning. The aircraft came to rest inverted a few meters beyond the initial impact point. The pilot exited with minor scrapes, while the two passengers exited without physical injury. Toxicological tests on the pilot were negative.
Meteorological and Operational Information
Weather conditions were reported as clear sky, visibility above ten kilometers, QNH 1015 hPa from Faro, wind from 330 degrees at 14–16 knots with some turbulence. The aircraft was in communication with the aerodrome information service on the appropriate frequency. The runway at Portimão is open for general traffic.
Pilot and Aircraft Details
The pilot, aged 52, held a valid Private Pilot License and a Light Aircraft Pilot License, with a total flight experience of 3545 hours, including 642 hours on the accident aircraft type. The aircraft, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140 (serial number 28-7325436, built 1973), was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-E3D engine. Its airworthiness certificate was valid until 15 June 1999. The estimated weight at the time of the accident was 1600 kg.
Sequence of Events
During the simulated engine failure demonstration from a downwind position, the pilot reduced power at approximately 80 knots and 650 feet altitude. On the base leg, due to a strong crosswind, the aircraft overshot the final approach axis. Unable to correct the approach due to insufficient power and altitude, the pilot applied full power to execute a go-around from that position. The aircraft, already low and losing altitude, flew directly into quince bushes. The kinetic energy was largely absorbed by the wings being torn off. The horizontal stabilizer struck a branch, causing a rotational moment that inverted the aircraft before it came to rest against a second hedge.
Analysis and Causation
The accident was attributed to a dangerous operation of the aircraft by the pilot, who attempted to perform a simulated forced landing with passengers on board, which is not permitted according to Annex 2 of ICAO.