A light aircraft made an emergency landing on a Portugal beach yesterday, killing an eight-year-old girl and one man.
The small Cessna CS-AVA aircraft landed on Sao Joao beach in Costa de Caparica, about 30 kilometres south of Lisbon, killing a man and an eight-year-old girl who were sunbathing.
The National Maritime Authority have stated that the man, reported to be 50 years of age, and the young girl died at the scene. The two occupants of the plane, one of whom was reported to have been having a flying lesson, were uninjured and were led away by local police.
Witnesses told local media outlets that the light aircraft appeared to have a damaged left wing as it flew low over the packed beach. Other sources have said that the Cessna suffered engine failure.
Sunbathers reported that panic ensued on the popular beach and many ran into the sea in order to avoid the plane. Portuguese news stations have stated that the eight-year-old was with her parents on the beach, both of whom were said to be uninjured.
