What happened
On June 27, 2008, during a flight training session at the Pias Longas ULM airstrip in Ourém, a Tecnam P-92 Echo, registration CS-UHB, was involved in a ground incident. During the initial taxi phase, the instructor noted that the student pilot was struggling with engine power application and lateral directional control. Due to these difficulties, the instructor decided to abort the planned flight and instead focus on ground coordination and control exercises.
While taxiing from runway 30 toward the parking area, the student pilot missed the first exit. While attempting to use the second taxiway connection, the aircraft struck a metallic cone used to demarcate the runway limits. The impact caused damage to the wooden propeller tips. There were no injuries to the two occupants, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the circumstances of the taxi maneuver and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation established that the aircraft was in a fully airworthy condition with no mechanical deficiencies.
Investigators found that the metallic marker, which serves to delineate the two taxiway paths, had been displaced approximately five meters forward from its normal position on the day of the event. The investigation also noted that the low angle of the sun near the horizon, combined with the white color of the cone against the light-colored limestone soil, significantly reduced the visibility of the obstacle.
Findings
- The student pilot was experiencing significant difficulty maintaining directional control and was preoccupied with managing engine power.
- The instructor failed to provide timely corrective action or a verbal warning to prevent the aircraft from drifting toward the runway edge.
- The lack of visual contrast between the white marker and the limestone terrain, exacerbated by the sun's position, hindered the crew's ability to perceive the obstacle.
- The instructor's familiarity with the airfield may have led to a lack of vigilance regarding the specific position of the marker on that day.