Piper PA-25 Emergency Landing in Albufeira (CS-ADT)

Incident Overview and Flight History On August 10, 2002, at approximately 12:55 UTC, a Piper PA-25/150, registration CS-ADT, operated by Aerocondor Transportes Aéreos for Aero Algarve, experienced a sudden engine failure while towing a banner. The aircraft was flying in formation with a Cessna 172 (CS-DDQ) at low altitude and speed. After the lead aircraft cancelled the group flight, the CS-ADT pilot continued toward Portimão. Near Albufeira, the engine stopped and could not be restarted. The pilot released the banner and attempted an emergency landing. Due to low altitude and speed, the aircraft impacted near an aparthotel in the Santa Eulália parish, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and serious injuries to the pilot.