Two individuals were injured on Wednesday following the crash of an aircraft at Cerval Airfield in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Viana do Castelo.
The National Institute of Medical Emergencies reported the two men, aged 67 and 41, were assessed as “slightly injured and were transported by firefighters to Viana do Castelo Hospital.”
José Gomes, the airfield’s director, explained to SIC Notícias that the incident involved a training aircraft carrying a student and a teacher. “The accident was caused by the student and the examiner. The student was being examined and, as I understand, the plane was about to land, aborted the landing, then stalled and crashed into the trees,” he stated.
Regarding the injured, José Gomes noted they received immediate assistance due to the permanent presence of Civil Protection at the site, with additional support from the firefighters. “They were immediately assisted. The GNR, firefighters, and ambulances were there to assist the slightly injured. Practically, they were in a condition where they were walking around and saying they were fine. It wasn’t serious,” he detailed.
The airfield official also noted that the aircraft was “destroyed” and that the “cause of the accident was due to a stall condition.” The situation will be assessed by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), which will “determine the causes of the accident.”
José Gomes further informed that the site has been closed following the accident, and the student involved had completed the course. “This is an official school, accredited, providing instruction every day with this same aircraft. This student completed the course, and the standard procedure is to be examined by an examiner – official, accredited by ANAC. Unfortunately, this accident occurred, and the causes will be determined,” he asserted, noting that whether the causes are human or technical is yet to be established.
When questioned about the frequency of accidents at the airfield, José Gomes mentioned that such incidents are not common: “It is not normal […]. It’s been many years. In fact, I remember a serious accident 30 years ago, where the pilot died. But that was 30 years ago. Since then, there hasn’t been an accident at the airfield.”
The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Rail Accidents (GPIAAF) informed Lusa that it had been notified of the ultralight accident and would dispatch a team to the scene today to initiate the investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
[News updated at 15:19]
