History of the Flight
On 6 July 2003 at approximately 19:00 UTC, the Tecnam P92 Echo Super, registration CS-ULX, departed from runway 33 of Valdonas aerodrome in Tomar, bound for Pias Longas aerodrome in Vila Nova de Ourém, a flight of about 20 minutes. After takeoff, the aircraft climbed to a cruising altitude of 2000 feet AMSL and the pilot set a direct heading of approximately 270° magnetic. With the wind from the northwest (310°), the pilot chose a direct approach to runway 30 at Pias Longas. He began the landing preparation at a distance greater than 10 nautical miles from the threshold, gradually losing altitude. When the pilot realized his situation, he was about 1000 meters before the threshold at an altitude below the runway elevation. Communications with another aircraft (CS-UKP) at the aerodrome reported a long final and then a short final, but the pilot of CS-UKP never had visual contact because CS-ULX was below the aerodrome altitude. The pilot attempted to recover altitude by applying maximum power but was unsuccessful. The passenger, also a pilot, then took control and attempted a 180° left turn to return to the valley to gain altitude. This maneuver also failed, and the aircraft struck a small olive tree with its propeller and nose wheel, then crashed several meters ahead, facing approximately 180°, about 18 meters below, 500 meters before and 200 meters left of the runway centerline at coordinates N 39°35.03' / W 008°34.40', altitude 308 meters (1010 feet). The pilot of CS-UKP, wondering about the delay, began taxiing to runway 29 and noticed a column of black smoke. He returned to the apron, raised the alarm, and went to the site.
Injuries
The pilot sustained serious injuries including several fractures and was hospitalized after multiple surgical interventions. The passenger suffered minor contusions and abrasions, was treated at the hospital, and discharged.
Damage to the Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was partially consumed by fire, resulting in a total loss.
Other Damage
No third-party damage was reported.
Crew Information
The pilot, 62, male, Portuguese, held a valid PUL license valid until 13 April 2005, with a restriction requiring corrective lenses. His last medical examination was on 2 April 2003. His total flight experience was 100 hours 5 minutes, with 65 hours on type. The passenger, 49, male, Portuguese, also held a PUL license valid until 2 April 2005, with a similar lens restriction. His total flight experience exceeded 127 hours 5 minutes; type experience not determined.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an ultralight, single-engine, high-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 100 HP Rotax 912 S engine, driving a two-blade constant-speed propeller with fixed pitch. Maximum takeoff mass was 450 kg. Manufacturer: Tecnam, model P92-E Super, serial number 698, year of manufacture 2002.
Meteorological Information
Weather was good with no significant clouds or precipitation. Surface wind at Tomar at 18:00 UTC was from 310° at 18 km/h, at 19:00 from 330° at 18 km/h, at 20:00 from 310° at 14 km/h. At Leiria, wind was from north/northeast at 7 km/h. Air temperatures ranged from 20.4°C to 25.8°C. Relative humidity varied from 53% to 85%. Due to the presence of particulate matter (dust, ash) and the sun's position low on the horizon, forward horizontal visibility was significantly reduced, as confirmed by other pilots flying in the area that day.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the report, was the inadvertent descent of the aircraft to an altitude below the runway elevation and the mountain effect created by the northwest wind circulation, which prevented altitude recovery. Contributing factors were reduced visibility, the position of the sun at that time, and the non-use of onboard instruments to monitor altitude.