Student commercial pilot in fatal training crash

Portugal is a popular training area for Gulf airlines and it is believed the pilot of the Cessna 172 was from the UAE and training via L3.
The incident occurred at around 22:40 local time on Tuesday night. Sources close to the airport suggest the pilot was an ATPL student undergoing his night rating.
After the aircraft was reported missing while in the circuit, emergency procedures were followed and wreckage was discovered about 1500 metres from the airport, two hours after the search begun, according to Commissioner Rio Conchinha of the Ponte de Sor emergency service.
An investigation is underway and there has been no formal statement issued.