What happened
On February 13, 2012, at 14:45 UTC, three aircraft were operating at the Évora Municipal Aerodrome (LPEV) in Portugal. Two training aircraft, a Socata TB-200 (CS-DEM) and a Beechcraft B-76 (CS-AVL), were performing touch-and-go maneuvers on runway 01. The crew of the CS-DEM consisted of an instructor and one student, while the CS-AVL carried an instructor and two students.
During these maneuvers, a Grob G-115A (D-EGXI) contacted the Aerodrome Information & Traffic Advisor (AITA) while passing the 'VALVE' waypoint. The pilot was informed of the current traffic, the QNH, and the active runway. However, without further communication, the D-EGXI performed a low-altitude crossing of the runway from west to east at an altitude of less than 100 feet. This maneuver intercepted the flight paths of the other two aircraft: the CS-AVL was on short final at 100 feet, and the CS-DEM was on the right base leg. The sudden appearance of the D-EGXI forced the pilot of the CS-DEM to execute a go-around. Additionally, as the CS-AVL completed its landing and began to back-track, the pilot observed the D-EGXI already on the ground, rolling toward the occupied runway.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the adherence to established VFR arrival procedures at Évora. According to the aerodrome's VFR manual, aircraft arriving via the 'VALVE' point are required to contact AFIS, maintain an altitude of 2300ft until reaching the aerodrome vertical, and then descend to 1800ft to enter the right downwind leg. The investigation examined the pilot's compliance with ICAO Annex 2 rules regarding separation and priority.
Findings
- The pilot of the D-EGXI failed to follow the prescribed arrival procedures for the aerodrome.
- While the pilot did contact the AITA, they failed to maintain the required altitude of 2300ft, instead crossing the runway at less than 100ft.
- The pilot performed an unauthorized tight maneuver to enter the final approach, rather than entering the downwind leg.
- The pilot failed to communicate with AFIS after the initial contact.
- The actions resulted in a Class B runway incursion, as the aircraft landed on an occupied runway and interfered with the trajectories of the training aircraft, creating a significant collision risk.