FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Cessna 152 CS-AYX Accident at Cascais Aerodrome

Cascais, PT

On December 18, 2004, a Cessna 152 (registration CS-AYX) was involved in an aviation accident near Cascais, PT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident occurred when a gust of wind during the flare caused the aircraft to rise, and the pilot's forward control input resulted in the nose gear striking the runway with excessive force, fracturing the nose gear structure. This summary draws on records from the Portuguese Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Portuguese Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 152, registration CS-AYX, operated by Aero Clube de Portugal, suffered substantial damage on 18 December 2004 when it struck the runway at Cascais Aerodrome during a landing in strong winds. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.

Flight History and Accident Sequence On 18 December 2004, a Cessna 152 with registration CS-AYX, owned by Aero Clube de Portugal, departed Cascais Municipal Aerodrome at 11:40 UTC. The aircraft carried a 27-year-old male pilot and one passenger. The flight was part of a mini-tournament held during the Aero Clube de Portugal anniversary celebrations, with the objective of flying to Ericeira and returning to Cascais. During the return approach to runway 35, the pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps due to strong winds reported as 360 degrees at 21 knots with gusts to 28 knots. As the aircraft reached the landing point and the pilot initiated the flare, a sudden gust increased lift, causing the aircraft to rise. The pilot pushed the control column forward to bring the aircraft back toward the runway. The nose gear struck the asphalt violently and fractured. The propeller contacted the ground, bending both blades, and the aircraft slid approximately 20 meters along the runway before stopping within the landing strip. Both occupants exited the aircraft unharmed.

Probable cause

The accident occurred when a gust of wind during the flare caused the aircraft to rise, and the pilot's forward control input resulted in the nose gear striking the runway with excessive force, fracturing the nose gear structure.
Weather

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Dec 2004 Cessna 152 accident near Cascais, PT?

A Cessna 152, registration CS-AYX, operated by Aero Clube de Portugal, suffered substantial damage on 18 December 2004 when it struck the runway at Cascais Aerodrome during a landing in strong winds. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Dec 2004 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Dec 2004 involved a Cessna 152, registration CS-AYX, at Cascais, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident occurred when a gust of wind during the flare caused the aircraft to rise, and the pilot's forward control input resulted in the nose gear striking the runway with excessive force, fracturing the nose gear structure.

More accident analyses