What happened
On June 6, 2007, a Tecnam P2002 Sierra, registration CS-UPI, was conducting a flight that included a technical stop at Proença-a-Nova after departing from Azambuja. The flight was conducted without a filed flight plan and without establishing radio contact with the Lisbon Flight Information Service.
Upon arriving at the Ferreira do Zêzere aerodrome, the pilot elected to land on runway 15. Due to a misunderstanding of the local terrain and the perceived presence of obstacles, the pilot conducted an approach that was significantly higher than the normal glide slope. This resulted in an excessive approach speed and a touchdown occurring in the final third of the runway. The pilot was unable to decelerate the aircraft within the remaining runway distance, causing the aircraft to overshoot the end of the pavement and slide down a steep ravine with a gradient of over 45%. The aircraft came to rest several dozen meters down the slope.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation established that the aircraft was not properly registered in the National Aeronautical Registry at the time of the accident and lacked essential legal documentation, including a Certificate of Airworthiness and engine logs. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the flight was being conducted in an irregular manner; the occupant in the left seat was an ultra-light student pilot who was not authorized to carry passengers or fly outside of his training area, while the occupant in the passenger seat, though licensed, was not qualified to act as an instructor or operate the aircraft from the right side.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unstable approach at excessive speed.
- The pilot failed to execute a go-around (missed approach) maneuver when it became apparent the aircraft could not stop within the available distance.
- The aircraft was operating without a flight plan or necessary radio communications with air traffic services.
- The aircraft lacked required airworthiness documentation and valid registration.
- The passenger suffered a temporary loss of consciousness due to impact with the instrument panel, while the pilot remained uninjured.
- The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, right wing, and propeller.