History of the Flight
On March 28, 2023, at 17:05 UTC, a Cessna 152 aircraft, registration CS-AZB, departed from runway 21 at Ponte de Sor airfield with a student pilot for a training flight. After maneuvers southeast of the field, the aircraft returned at 17:42, initially following entry procedures. After joining right downwind for runway 21, the aircraft turned right for a short final, prompting the Aerodrome Traffic Information Officer (AITA) to instruct a northbound course to avoid traffic on final. Confused about the aircraft's position, the student flew south, joining a left downwind for runway 03 and stopped responding to AITA communications. AITA reinforced in Portuguese that runway 21 was in use and instructed a right turn to rejoin right downwind. The flight instructor then contacted AITA via the school's communications system, suggesting maintaining English communications with the student.
Approach and Accident
During final approach to runway 21, the student had difficulties with the descent maneuver, resulting in an unstabilized approach. AITA, observing the aircraft was high and unlikely to land successfully, suggested a low approach for runway 21 to rejoin for another attempt. The aircraft overflew the entire runway at high altitude and airspeed without landing. After the runway end, with a 50-degree deviation to the left, the aircraft touched down with only the left landing gear, struck the ILS equipment building to the right of runway 03's threshold with its right wing, and came to rest inverted on nearby raised ground.
Injuries and Damage
The student pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed following the collision: the right wing hit the building, the left wing and nose gear struck raised ground, causing a rollover and total separation of the rear fuselage. Due to the inverted position, a carburetor rupture and fuel line break led to a small engine compartment fire that self-extinguished. The ELT activated and transmitted a valid distress signal. The aircraft was found configured with full flaps, carburetor heat on, throttle idle, and mixture rich. Minor damage occurred to airfield navigation aid equipment.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather was favorable for flight: few clouds, wind 110/03, visibility 10 km or more, temperature around 24°C.
Flight Crew
The student pilot was enrolled in the GFS ATPL(A) 01/22 course and began flight training on November 28, 2022. Records show 24:30 total flight hours, including 3:15 solo with 19 landings. The accident flight was her first solo mission outside the airfield with return and circuit joining. She had repeated lesson 1.10 twice.