Accident Details
On 17 May 2007, at approximately 11:40 UTC, a Cessna 152, registration CS-DAZ, owned by Aeroclube de Aveiro, collided with medium-voltage power cables near the town of Nespereira, close to Guimarães, Portugal. The collision forced the pilot to execute an emergency landing on unprepared terrain. Both occupants—the 26-year-old pilot and a passenger, also a pilot—suffered minor injuries and were taken to Guimarães hospital, released the following day. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Flight History
The aircraft departed from São Jacinto airfield (LPAV) at 10:30 UTC for a VFR navigation flight, intending to return to LPAV. The flight plan included overflights of family and friends' residences. After takeoff, the aircraft flew north at low altitude, passing over Oliveira de Azeméis, Vila Nova de Gaia, Póvoa de Varzim, and Guimarães, where witnesses reported the aircraft flying so low that tree canopies swayed. While over the A-7 motorway near Nespereira, the aircraft struck two medium-voltage power cables crossing the road.
Impact and Damage
The propeller and left wing contacted the cables. The propeller deformed, the engine stopped, and the left wingtip separated. The three power cables broke, and an electrical discharge occurred. Despite the damage, the pilot maintained control and landed in a small field near houses. Bystanders assisted the occupants out of the aircraft.
Aircraft Examination
The aircraft came to rest inverted, supported by the engine and wing leading edges. The engine components were destroyed; cowlings separated during landing. The propeller was found under the aircraft, with both blades twisted and marked from cable contact. The left wingtip was torn off; the angle of the impact marks indicated a left turn with approximately 40° of bank at the moment of collision. Electrical discharge marks were visible on the left landing gear leg, left wing trailing edge, and right wing upper surface. No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were detected.
Meteorological and Operational Conditions
The weather was clear, with calm wind and warm temperatures. The aircraft maintained VHF communications with Lisbon Flight Information Service (FIS). Radar snapshots from FIS showed the aircraft at 0 feet altitude between 10:51 and 11:00 UTC, and at 500 feet at 11:10 UTC while heading toward Guimarães.
Regulatory Context
According to ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air), VFR flights must not be conducted over congested areas below 1000 feet AGL within a 600-meter radius, nor below 500 feet AGL in other areas, except for takeoff and landing or specific authorization. The flight was conducted at low altitude over populated terrain.
Aftermath
Residents alerted emergency services, who responded promptly. There was no fire despite the electrical discharge. No further investigation was deemed necessary given the nature of the accident and witness statements.