What happened
On July 1, 2002, a Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat, registration CS-APY, was performing its final agricultural spraying mission of the day. After completing several missions from the Comporta airfield, the pilot proceeded to the Batalha landing strip near Alcácer do Sal.
During the approach to runway 20, the pilot attempted a landing but realized the aircraft was not decelerating sufficiently. In an effort to abort the landing, the pilot applied maximum power. However, the aircraft yawed to the right, veered off the runway, and failed to gain enough altitude to clear obstacles at the end of the strip. The aircraft struck a water tank located on the runway shoulder, which resulted in the loss of the right lower wing tip and damage to the right aileron.
Due to the resulting loss of lateral control, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing in an unprepared clearing approximately 1.5 km south of the runway. Upon touchdown in the sandy, irregular terrain, the main landing gear sank into the ground, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot sustained one minor injury and was able to exit the aircraft safely.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's qualifications, and local meteorological data. The investigation established that the aircraft was well-maintained and the pilot was fully qualified for the mission. Investigators analyzed the runway characteristics, noting the 5% slope and the presence of large pine trees at the end of the runway. Meteorological records from nearby stations indicated that at the time of the accident, the wind was blowing from the northwest at approximately 13 knots with gusts up/to 24 knots. This resulted in a crosswind component of approximately 23 knots, which significantly exceeded the manufacturer's specified limit of 13 knots.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was landing with wind conditions exceeding the aircraft's operational limits.
- The aircraft's performance was further degraded by the runway surface, which consisted of gravel and sand, increasing takeoff and landing distances.
- The pilot's decision to abort the landing led to a loss of directional control.
- Contributing factors included inadequate operational planning, insufficient awareness of wind direction and intensity, and the presence of obstacles at the runway end.