What happened
On March 15, 2009, a Tecnam P-92 Echo, registration CS-UJX, was preparing for a training flight at the Lezíria aerodrome in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal. The pilot intended to perform a short-field, or "high-performance," takeoff. This maneuver involves applying maximum engine power while the aircraft is held stationary by the brakes, before releasing them once power is stabilized.
As the pilot applied full power while holding the brakes, the right pedal's torsion bar fractured. This mechanical failure caused the right-side brake to lose all effectiveness. Consequently, the aircraft veered sharply to the left, traveling approximately 30 meters at high acceleration before violently impacting the closed doors of a nearby hangar. The impact caused the engine to stall and the hangar doors to be torn from their tracks. The pilot was uninjured and able to exit the aircraft unaided.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the braking system and the nature of the takeoff maneuver. Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the right pedal had fractured at the connection point to the torque tube. Analysis of the fracture surface revealed that the break occurred due to excessive tensile force applied to the torque tube, specifically at its weakest point near the weld. There were no signs of corrosion or fatigue.
The investigation also looked into the aircraft's braking configuration. While the standard Tecnam P-92 Echo uses a single lever to apply equal pressure to both wheels, CS-UJX had been modified to allow for differential braking via the pedals. The investigators could not find any records of official certification or approval for this modification by the National Civil Aviation Authority (INAC).