What happened
On the evening of July 30, 2000, a Weedhopper AX2 ultralight, registration CS-UDB, departed from Espinho Aerodrome for a local VFR flight. The pilot, who had rented the aircraft from a local flight school, was performing a series of training maneuvers earlier in the day. During a solo flight intended for two touch-and-go landings, the pilot flew south along the coastline at approximately 900 feet.
While performing a 180-degree turn about one nautical mile south of Esmor and near the shoreline, the engine began to fail and subsequently stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on the wet sands of Esmoriz Beach but found the area crowded with people. After another 180-degree turn to seek a deserted area between rock formations, the pilot realized the space was insufficient and opted for a water landing in the adjacent sea. The aircraft performed a ground loop and came to rest inverted in shallow water. The pilot escaped the aircraft uninjured.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's experience, and the operational circumstances. Investigators found that the pilot had not performed a pre-flight inspection, as the task had been handled by flight school personnel. Furthermore, the amount of fuel on board was estimated by school staff to provide roughly 30 minutes of flight time.
The investigation also identified discrepancies in the aircraft's documentation. While the aircraft was operating in a three-axis configuration required for instruction, the flight certificate contained inaccuracies regarding the model designation. Additionally, the aircraft lacked a weight and balance report, and the engine maintenance logs were found to be inconsistent with the manufacturer's recommended program. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's civil liability insurance covered recreational use but did not extend to the instructional and rental activities being performed at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was deficient flight planning regarding fuel management.
- The pilot relied on an estimate of fuel endurance provided by ground personnel rather than conducting a personal pre-flight inspection.
- The aircraft's technical logs and maintenance records were incomplete or did not align with manufacturer requirements.
- There was a lack of documented evidence regarding the modification of the aircraft from a two-axis to a three-axis configuration.
- The aircraft was being used for rental and instructional purposes under an insurance policy only rated for recreational flight.