Paulistinha 56-C1 56-C1 accident near Braga, Pt, August 18, 2012
On August 18, 2012 at about 3:10 pm local time, a Paulistinha 56-C1 56-C1, registered CSALB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Braga (Braga - Ponte De Lima airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
This report is under the jurisdiction and control of the Portuguese Government.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 18, 2012 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Braga, Portugal · Braga - Ponte De Lima
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Paulistinha 56-C1 56-C1
- Registration
- CSALB · no longer on the register · serial 1162
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 18, 2012, at 1510 coordinated universal time, a Paulistinha 56-C1, Portuguese registered CS-ALB, owned by the Aero Clube de Braga, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Ponte de Lima (LPBR), Braga, Portugal. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Ponte de Lima (LPBR), Braga, Portugal. The Portuguese investigators received reports that following a touch and go maneuver, the airplane entered a left turn at a low altitude. The nose dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Portuguese government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Portuguese government or Ministério das Obras Públicas, Transportes e Comunicações GPIAA - Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronave. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Ministério das Obras Públicas, Transportes e Comunicações GPIAA - Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronave Praça Duque de Saldanha 31-4º 1050-094 LISOBOA, Portugal
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-8F/12F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aero Clube De Braga
The flight
- Departed from: LPBR Braga
- Destination: LPBR Braga
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from LPPR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.