Summary
On 5 May 2008, a Cessna 152 (registration CS-AVC) operated by LEÁVIA, Escola de Aviação, Lda, experienced a runway excursion during a local solo training flight at Cascais Municipal Aerodrome (LPCS). The aircraft was performing its second touch-and-go landing of the flight. After touchdown, the nose wheel had not yet contacted the runway when the right wing lifted and the aircraft veered left. The pilot was unable to regain control, and the aircraft departed the runway, continued across grass, and collided with a fence separating the runway area from a stormwater drainage ditch known as "Ribeira das Marianas." The collision stopped the engine, which was at low RPM. No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the nose gear, propeller, and left wing leading edge. The fence also sustained minor damage.
Sequence of Events
Due to traffic buildup, air traffic control (ATC) instructed the pilot to maintain runway heading after the first touch-and-go and extended the circuit to the Monte de Manique area, followed by right-hand turns (contrary to the normal left-hand pattern for runway 35). While on downwind, abeam the tower, the pilot was informed he was number 2 for landing and must give way to a Learjet 45 on a long final for runway 35 after an instrument approach (VOR-DME). On final approach, the pilot was asked to reduce to minimum approach speed to maintain separation from preceding traffic and to backtrack to parking after landing. The clearance for the touch-and-go was given when the aircraft was already near the runway threshold. During the landing, the main gear touched down a few meters before the displaced threshold of runway 35. Immediately after, before the nose wheel contacted the asphalt, the right wing rose and the aircraft began veering left. The pilot could not correct the deviation, and the aircraft exited the runway, continued straight on grass, and stopped only after hitting the fence.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The sole occupant was a 35-year-old male Portuguese student pilot with a total flight experience of 31 hours 25 minutes, of which 10 hours 45 minutes were in the previous 90 days. He was performing his first solo flight; this was the second solo landing. His training record showed a regular but discontinuous flight activity (30 hours over 12 months) with significant gaps between flights. The aircraft was a Cessna A152 (serial 79621, manufactured 1978) with a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine and Sensenich propeller. It had 10,941 hours total airframe time. The last 100-hour inspection was on 30 April 2008. All documentation was valid.
Investigation Findings
A post-incident technical inspection found no anomalies in the flight control or braking systems. Weather conditions were not significant, with wind from 340° at 10 knots, nearly aligned with the runway. No evidence of foreign objects or pavement irregularities was found. The investigation noted that the altered traffic pattern and the controller's requests to reduce speed and backtrack increased the pilot's stress, especially given his limited experience. The pilot's lack of continuity in training (with intervals of up to 25 days between flights) likely hindered his ability to maintain routine and respond to unexpected situations. The combination of these factors led to a mental block that prevented the pilot from correcting the aircraft's deviation or applying effective braking.