Piper PA31T accident near Cascais, Pt, April 17, 2017
On April 17, 2017 at about 11:04 am local time, a Piper PA31T, registered HBLTI, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Cascais (Cascais Municipal Aerodrome airport). It was a business flight under non-U.S. private rules. 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 2017 · about 11:04 am local time
- Place
- Cascais, Portugal · Cascais Municipal Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA31T · all PA31Ts on the register
- Registration
- HBLTI · no longer on the register · serial 31T-8020091
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 17, 2017, about 1104 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-31T, serial number 31T-8020091, Swiss registration HB-LTI, was destroyed during impact and a postimpact fire following a loss of control during initial climb from runway 17 at the Cascais Aerodrome (LPCS), Cascais, Portugal. The pilot, his three passengers, and an individual on the ground were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Avignon-Provence Airport (LFMV), located near Avignon, France.The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves (GPIAA). This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by or obtained from the government of the Portugal. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves (GPIAA) Praca Duque de Saldanha, 31 – 4ºAndar 1150 - 094 Lisboa Portugal Tel.: (351) 212739230 E-mail: geral@gpiaa.gov.pt Fax: (351) 212739260
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 aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 9,000 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: LPCS Cascais at 11:04 am
- Destination: LFMV Avignon
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 17, 4,593 ft by 98 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 am from LPCS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.