What happened
On August 14, 2009, a Beechcraft 99, registered F-BTME, was conducting local skydiving operations at the Évora Municipal Aerodrome. The aircraft was climbing through approximately 9,500 feet toward a planned altitude of 13,000 feet when the left engine failed, causing the propeller to enter the feathered position.
Following the failure, the pilot instructed the passengers to bail out. Eleven of the twelve parachutists successfully exited the aircraft and landed safely within the aerodrome perimeter. One passenger remained on board with the pilot.
The pilot attempted to land the aircraft at the same aerodrome using only the remaining engine. During the initial approach, the aircraft maintained a high airspeed and failed to touch down, overflying the entire runway. As the pilot attempted a go-around by increasing power on the right engine, the aircraft began to deviate sharply to the left. The aircraft entered a steep bank, nearly inverted, and crashed into a residential building in the Almeirim neighborhood. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and the remaining passenger.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation established that the pilot held a US FAA Private Pilot License that only authorized the operation of single-engine piston aircraft, not multi-engine aircraft. Furthermore, the operator lacked the necessary Air Operator Certificate for commercial operations within Portuguese territory.
The investigation examined the engine failure and found no evidence of mechanical malfunction, suggesting the failure was likely due to fuel starvation. The investigation also noted that the pilot's lack of multi-engine training and inadequate airspeed management during the critical go-around phase were central to the loss of control.
Findings
- The primary cause was the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during a go-around with one engine inoperative due to a lack of multi-engine qualifications and training.
- The pilot was operating a multi-engine aircraft with only a single-engine rating.
- The engine failure was likely caused by fuel starvation, exacerbated by inadequate fuel monitoring and the pilot's potential lack of familiarity with the fuel crossfeed system.
- The pilot's approach technique involved excessive airspeed, which prevented a successful landing on the first attempt.
- Inadequate oversight by civil aviation authorities allowed an unqualified pilot and an unregistered operator to conduct commercial operations in the region.