Pilot André Rafael Serra
LISBON, July 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — A pilot died on Friday after his amphibious plane crashed while fighting fires in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Coa in north Portugal, according to local authorities.
The death was announced on the spot by the medical team of the National Institute of Medical Emergency, and the pilot’s body was charred and the amphibious plane was destroyed, said authorities.
The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Railway Accidents has launched an investigation into the accident.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed “very deep regret” over the death of the pilot.
Mainland Portugal had been in a contingency situation until July 15, due to a worsening risk of fire, with temperatures that can exceed 45 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. — NNN-XINHUA