Synopsis
On 25 October 2014, at approximately 17:10 UTC, a Tecnam P92 Echo (registration CS-UMY) operated by Aero Clube de Mirandela was destroyed after an intentional low altitude maneuver resulted in collision with trees. The flight, originating and ending at Mirandela aerodrome (LPMI), involved a pilot with an instructor qualification and a passenger who had recently begun ultralight training.
Flight History
Following a social gathering at the Aero Clube de Mirandela, the pilot decided to conduct a local flight with runway circuits. After takeoff from runway 17, the aircraft turned left and climbed to an estimated 300 feet. After a 180-degree turn before the runway 17 threshold, the aircraft began a descending left turn toward the ACM hangar with the intention of performing a low pass over it.
Eyewitnesses near the hangar reported that the pilot aligned the aircraft with the hangar and, in the final moments, executed a left bank of approximately 45 degrees, passing very close to the structure. The aircraft then collided with a medium-sized pine tree, detail 1 in Figure 1 of the report. Witnesses indicated that such a maneuver was customary for the instructor pilot.
Upon impact with the tree, approximately one meter of the left-wing leading edge separated and deformed rearward, causing the left flap to separate upon contact with the fuselage. This structural failure of the left wing led to a loss of control due to asymmetric aerodynamic forces.
The aircraft continued uncontrolled, striking a mimosa tree about 20 meters from the first impact, then fell onto a parked car before coming to rest approximately 75 meters from the initial collision. The energy dissipation continued along the ground for another 20 meters.
Due to the structural failure, fuel spilled onto the engine's hot areas, igniting a fire that consumed a large portion of the aircraft. The pilot and passenger were assisted from the wreckage by those present at the scene.
Weather conditions were clear, with visibility of 10 km or more, air temperature of 21°C, and calm wind.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained fractures and second-degree burns and was transported by helicopter to Centro Hospitalar do Nordeste – Bragança for multiple orthopedic surgeries. Four months after the accident, the pilot died from cardiovascular disease unrelated to the event, classified as non-accidental death.
The passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported to Centro Hospitalar do Nordeste – Extensão Mirandela.
The aircraft was destroyed by structural failures from the collisions and the subsequent fire. The engine was running during the impacts. No pre-event technical malfunctions were identified that could have contributed to the final trajectory or collision sequence.
Damage to third parties was limited to a car and the treetops involved in the collision.
Investigation
The former GPIAA was notified shortly after the accident and coordinated with local authorities to preserve the crash site. An investigation team traveled the next day to collect and analyze evidence. The occurrence was classified as an accident, and a safety investigation was initiated per EU Regulation 996/2010 and Portuguese Decree-Law 318/99.
After evaluation, the investigation team considered the event of low complexity with limited safety learning, covered adequately by the report's scope. The investigation was closed with the publication of this summary report.
Relevant Findings
The pilot, a Portuguese national holding an instructor qualification, was authorized for the flight with a total of 380 flight hours, including 60 hours in the previous 90 days. He held a valid Class 2 medical certificate. The majority of his flight hours were accumulated on the accident aircraft.