What happened
On August 16, 2009, a Tecnam P-2002 Sierra RG, registration CS-UQX, departed from Azambuja Airfield for a flight to the pilot's private aerodrome at Herdade da Palma. The flight was intended as a leisure trip, with the pilot accompanied by a 17-year-old passenger.
Upon approaching the destination, the pilot performed a low-altitude flyby over a nearby dam to alert family members waiting at the site of his arrival. After passing over the reservoir, the pilot initiated a left-hand turn toward the aerodrome at a low altitude. During this maneuver, the aircraft's right wing struck a cork oak tree, which sheared off a large branch and caused the wingtip to break away. The impact induced a spin, leading to a rapid loss of airspeed and a subsequent crash into the ground.
Immediately following the impact, a large amount of fuel spilled, causing the aircraft to burst into flames. The pilot, who remained restrained in the cockpit, succumbed to the fire. The passenger managed to exit the cabin despite severe injuries and was found by bystanders near the wreckage. Emergency services arrived approximately 15 minutes later, but the aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's condition, and the environmental factors. Investigators noted that the pilot was highly experienced and intimately familiar with the local terrain, as he had personally supervised the construction of the aerodrome. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's maintenance history, though no specific maintenance records could be retrieved as they were presumably destroyed in the fire.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision of the aircraft with a tree, which led to the subsequent crash and fire.
- The pilot was flying at an altitude lower than the surrounding tree canopy.
- The low-wing configuration of the Tecnam P-2002 Sierra RG created a blind spot during the left-hand turn, preventing the pilot from noticing the rising terrain and the presence of obstacles on the right side.
- The pilot's high familiarity with the area may have led to reduced attention toward natural obstacles during the maneuver.