What happened
On April 6, 2014, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight in a Cessna 152 at Świdnik Airport (EPLB). The flight was being supervised from the ground by an instructor. During the training circuit, the student pilot was maintaining radio contact with the "Świdnik Informacja" service on frequency 118.500 MHz.
While flying over the airport runway, the student pilot observed a second aircraft, a Cessna 172, performing a low-level pass over the same runway area. The instructor on the ground also noted the approach of a second aircraft near the VOR SWI station at an altitude of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 feet.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation sought to identify the second aircraft involved in the encounter. Although the initial incident report did not include the registration for the Cessna 172, the Commission successfully identified the likely operator through further analysis. The investigation established that the pilot of the Cessna 172 had been communicating on frequency 119.450 MHz (FIS Warszawa) and subsequently on frequency 136.420 MHz (EPLB Tower).
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the use of different radio frequencies for communication and monitoring between the two aircraft.
- Because the flights were occurring in uncontrolled airspace prior to the activation of air traffic control services at EPLB, the appropriate frequency for monitoring was 118.500 MHz.
- The pilot of the Cessna 172 was not monitoring the frequency used by the student pilot, leading to the loss of situational awareness regarding the other aircraft's position.