What happened
During the Beja Air Show 2024 (BAS24) held at Air Base 11 (BA11) in Portugal, a mid-air collision occurred involving aircraft from the YAKSTARS aerobatic team. The team, which operates Spanish-registered civilian aircraft and civilian pilots, was performing at the event, which was organized by the Portuguese Air Force under military-controlled airspace.
The investigation
A joint investigation was conducted by the Portuguese Gimabeto de Prevenção e Investigação de Acertis com Aeronaves e de Acidentes Ferroviários (GPIAAF) and the Portuguese Air Force's Comissão Central de Investigação (COCINV). The investigation examined the operational context of the air show, the training levels of the participating team, and the maintenance of airworthiness for the aircraft involved.
Findings
The investigation identified that the YAKSTARS aerobatic team had limited training relative to the demanding nature of their maneuvers. Furthermore, there were identified weaknesses in national civil legislation regarding aerobatic training in Portugal, including bureaucratic barriers and procedural gaps that affect practitioners and aerodrome managers. The investigation also noted that the use of a parachute lifeline system could have potentially increased the pilot's probability of survival during the aircraft abandonment.
Safety action
To the YAKSTARS Aerobatic Team Organization:
- Define and document internal proficiency requirements for all pilots, including minimum flight hours and specific solo and formation maneuvers.
- Mandate training of maneuvers at exhibition sites to ensure pilots are familiar with local visual references and airspace constraints, ideally performed within 48 hours of the display.
- Evaluate the feasibility of using parachute lifeline systems to increase survival probability.
To the Portuguese Air Force:
- Ensure that when organizing air shows, particular focus is placed on verifying the preparedness and proficiency of civilian participants.
To the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC):
- Assess the current regulatory framework and establish operational conditions to promote and encourage aerobatic flight training, including formation flight, within Portugal.
To the National Aeronautical Authority:
- Regulate the organization and supervision of air shows within the scope of National Defence.