The aircraft landed at Herdade da Lobata at around 1.30pm on Sunday, 4 October, surprising agricultural workers at the property.

Observador, citing Jornal de Notícias and Rádio Pax, reports that the pilot emerged unharmed and told workers the aircraft had suffered a mechanical problem. He allegedly asked them not to alert the authorities.

The two occupants reportedly travelled by taxi to Beja’s civilian air terminal, leaving the aircraft and a wallet containing €2,000 in banknotes behind.

The GNR subsequently identified the pilot as a resident of the Serpa area. The aircraft reportedly had not been authorised to fly since 2017.

The case has been passed to the PJ’s Faro directorate, which is investigating the circumstances of the landing.

Portugal’s air and rail accident investigation office, GPIAAF, has also been notified.

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