What happened
On August 14, 2002, at approximately 16:45 UTC, an experimental Jodel DR 1051, registration F-PDMA, plunged into the sea near Angeiras beach in Matosinhos, Portugal. The aircraft had departed from Pamplona, Spain, with the intention of flying to Braga, Portugal. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
During the flight through Spanish airspace, the pilot maintained intermittent radio contact with Madrid Air Traffic Control but struggled with communication, primarily using Spanish rather than English. Following a sector transfer, radio contact was lost. Upon entering Portuguese airspace, the pilot failed to establish contact with any local air traffic control services. The flight path became highly irregular, with the aircraft flying at much lower altitudes than planned—descending from 6,50 and eventually reaching as low as 400 feet. Witnesses on the beach observed the aircraft flying in circles at a low altitude before it impacted the water.
The pilot was rescued from the sea by a lifeguard and transported to the hospital with multiple injuries, including fractures and respiratory distress. Tragically, the passenger, the pilot's 20-year-old son, was initially missing and was recovered from the sea the following day, deceased. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation established that the aircraft, a kit-built experimental plane, held a French restricted airworthiness certificate that technically only permitted operations within French territory. No special permits had been requested for flight through Spain or Portugal.
The investigation examined radar traces which showed the aircraft's track became increasingly erratic over Portugal. The pilot appeared to be using road maps for navigation rather than aeronautical charts, as evidenced by position reports referencing landmarks not found on aeronautical charts. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot's flight plan erroneously listed Bragança as the destination instead of Braga, likely due to a misunderstanding of ICAO aerodrome codes.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's inappropriate flying technique combined with deficient aeronautical and air navigation knowledge.
- The pilot lacked proper flight planning and preparation, specifically regarding the use of appropriate aeronautical charts and information.
- The presence of mist and fog patches along the Portuguese coast reduced visibility, contributing to the pilot's disorientation.
- The aircraft was operating without the necessary international permits required by its restricted airworthiness certificate.
- The pilot's inability to communicate effectively with ATC in English hindered the coordination of the flight and the maintenance of radio contact.