History of the Flight
On July 3, 2024, at 11:05 UTC, the pilot and owner of a SEAMAX M22 aircraft, registration CS-XBC, departed from Vilar da Luz aerodrome (LPVL) on a navigation flight to Ponte de Sor aerodrome (LPSO). According to the pilot, the flight proceeded normally in accordance with the flight plan. The aircraft maintained communications with flight information services but was not radar identified. It flew on a south-southeast heading over Crestuma dam, Coimbra city, and the northern part of Castelo de Bode dam, continuing towards its destination.
At approximately 12:20 UTC, while flying over the northern part of Carvalhal – Abrantes at about 2000 feet MSL, the engine showed signs of irregular operation and stopped soon after.
Emergency Landing
The pilot selected a nearby road for the emergency landing and initiated forced landing procedures, including extending the landing gear and full flaps. He performed systems checks, selected the best glide speed, and attempted to restart the engine by activating the starter. The engine responded and ran for a few seconds but then stopped again.
With limited ground clearance, the pilot chose a plot of land to his right and managed the energy and trajectory towards the chosen field. During the final approach, the aircraft's lower fuselage collided with and severed the upper cable of a medium-voltage powerline, which prevented the aircraft from reaching the intended landing field approximately 20 meters away. The aircraft came to rest about 100 meters from the powerline over dense bramble and small trees. The live cable contacted the ground, igniting nearby vegetation.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot was unharmed. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the wing and landing gear. A small forest fire was started but quickly brought under control by local fire brigades and security forces.
Relevant Findings
The pilot held a valid ATPL license and class 1 medical certificate, with approximately 300 hours of SEP experience from initial training up to 2012 and a recently renewed SEP rating with 5:55 hours on the accident model, totaling 8,600 flight hours.
Records showed the aircraft was filled with 95 RON gasoline on January 25, 2024, with full tanks (98 liters, 4 liters unusable). Since then, it performed 6 flights totaling 4:55 hours, plus unknown ground operation. Assuming an average consumption of 19 liters per hour, the values are consistent with an engine failure due to lack of fuel on board.
Regarding the accident flight, the pilot stated he selected the right tank for takeoff, later switched to the left tank, and closed the left valve again when the indicator showed no fuel, continuing with the right tank. After engine failure, he opened both valves. He reported difficulty seeing the fuel level in the indicator tube, which had become opaque.