Incident Overview
Shortly after departing from Covilhã Airport, an aircraft encountered a critical engine failure while in the initial climb phase. The pilot immediately recognized the situation and chose to perform an emergency landing in an open field. The subsequent landing resulted in the aircraft crash-landing and coming to rest. All occupants aboard were able to evacuate without harm, but the aircraft itself sustained damage that rendered it beyond economical repair.
Emergency Response
Following the emergency landing, the occupants exited the aircraft safely. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. The aircraft remained at the landing site, and authorities were notified of the incident.
Investigation and Findings
An investigation into the incident was conducted to determine the cause of the engine failure. It was determined that the failure likely resulted from a bird strike that occurred shortly after rotation. The official probable cause statement indicates that the engine failure was the consequence of a bird strike during the initial phase of flight.