What happened
On May 24, 2009, a Zlin Z142, registration CS-DIR, was performing local aerobatic training maneuvers over the sea south of Funchal, Madeira. The aircraft was operated by Orbital, Lda, carrying a pilot and one passenger.
At approximately 17:50 UTC, the pilot requested and received authorization from Air Traffic Control to perform a low pass over runway 23. Following established procedures, the pilot set the engine to maximum continuous power and initiated an inverted flight maneuver at approximately 500 feet. While flying inverted, the pilot noticed the aircraft's nose was dipping below the horizon. In an attempt to recover, the pilot executed a half-roll to upright the aircraft. During this recovery, the flight controls felt loose and ineffective.
The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the ground just 6.90 meters from the runway centerline. The impact triggered a fire, and the aircraft slid 105.60 meters before coming to a halt. While the pilot managed to escape the wreckage with severe burns, the passenger remained unconscious in their seat. The passenger later succumbed to their injuries at a hospital in Porto.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's experience, and the flight dynamics during the maneuver. The investigation confirmed that the Zlin Z142 had undergone a complete overhaul of both the airframe and engine, and all documentation and maintenance records were valid. The aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting that the pilot had successfully completed an aerobatic course in the Czech Republic and was authorized to perform such maneuvers. Technical analysis of the wreckage showed no evidence of mechanical failure in the engine, propeller, or flight control systems. Evidence of propeller spray on the runway confirmed the engine was operational at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control of the aircraft during the recovery from an aerobatic maneuver.
- A significant contributing factor was the low altitude (approximately 500 feet) at which the maneuver was performed, which provided insufficient margin for the pilot to correct the abnormal attitude following the roll.
- The investigation noted that the pilot's attempt to recover from inverted flight required significant control inputs, including a larger-than-usual elevator movement and energetic rudder application to counteract rotation. The low altitude and the visual difficulty of maintaining altitude references over the terrain likely hindered the pilot's ability to stabilize the aircraft.