What happened
On October 20, 2007, a Cessna 152T, registration CS-AUJ, was conducting a cross-country training flight from Cascais Municipal Aerodrome to Covilhã Municipal Aerodrome. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR).
As the aircraft approached the destination, the instructor directed the student to perform a simulated forced landing (SAF) for runway 06, simulating a total engine failure. During the maneuver, the student pilot approached the runway at an excessive altitude. In an attempt to descend, the pilot reduced speed to the minimum sustaining velocity (Vref) and applied full flaps. This maneuver caused the aircraft to drift off the runway centerline due to a left-hand wind.
While attempting to correct the alignment at a very low altitude, the aircraft encountered turbulence and experienced a loss of lift. The Cessna 152T entered a stall and struck the runway surface with the right wing and nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately six meters before coming to a halt, resting at a 45-degree angle to the runway axis. The crew escaped the aircraft without injuries.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the technical condition of the aircraft, the flight crew's qualifications, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained, with all documentation valid, and the crew members held the necessary licenses and medical certifications.
Investigators analyzed the flight path and the execution of the simulated emergency. They noted that the student pilot's approach was high, a common error during simulated engine failures when pilots maintain low power to simulate a failure. The investigation also reviewed the instructor's role in managing the deteriorating flight conditions during the maneuver.