Introduction
On 3 July 2012, a Piper PA-34-200T twin-engine aircraft, registration G-TAIR, operated by Aeronautical Web Academy (AWA), was involved in an accident near Cascais Aerodrome (LPCS) during a local training flight. The aircraft was destroyed, and the instructor pilot sustained serious injuries while the student pilot suffered minor injuries.
Flight History
The flight, with callsign WEY029, departed at 10:05 UTC for a local training mission. After performing manoeuvres west of the aerodrome at about 1500 ft, the aircraft returned for circuit training. The instructor pilot instructed a simulated right engine failure. The student configured the aircraft with landing gear extended, 25º flaps, fine pitch on the right engine, and minimum throttle (17 inHg MAP). At about 600 ft QNH (274 ft AGL) while over the runway, at 10:55:23 UTC, the aircraft initiated a go-around. The wind reported by ATC was 340° at 12 kt, gusting to 17 kt.
With landing gear and flaps retracted and the left engine at maximum continuous power, the aircraft maintained 90 kt indicated airspeed but was not gaining sufficient altitude to clear terrain (Monte de Manique, 651 ft AMSL). The instructor immediately instructed the student to recover power on the right engine. At about 800 ft QNH, clear of obstacles, a left turn was initiated for another circuit. During the left turn at 25° bank, the left engine experienced an abrupt drop in RPM followed by a lack of thrust, causing a left yaw with a nose-down attitude and rotation towards the ground. The instructor took over, attempting to reverse the rotation, and oriented the aircraft toward a small yard surrounded by trees. The aircraft collided with large trees and was immobilized at 90° from its initial trajectory. The last radio transmission included a panic yell, likely from the accident aircraft. Meteorological conditions were clear sky, 23°C, visibility 10 km or more, and wind 340° at 15 kt reported to other traffic just before the accident.
Injuries and Damage
The student pilot exited the aircraft with minor injuries and requested help to remove the instructor pilot, who suffered serious injuries. Both were taken to a health facility. The aircraft was destroyed by collision with trees and ground. All flight control surfaces were identified at the site.