Night landing on unlit runway at Białystok Krywlany

Casualties unknown • Białystok (EPBK), PL

A Cessna 152 completed a training flight involving multiple refueling stops, ultimately landing on an unlit runway after sunset.

What happened

On October 31, 2014, a pilot operating a Cessna 152 initiated a navigational training flight departing from Białystok Krywlany Airport (EPBK) with the destination of Sobienie Szlacheckie (EPSJ). During the mission, the pilot performed two separate landings at Grądy airfield (EPGY) to refuel the aircraft.

The flight concluded with a landing back at EPBK at 16:48 local time. This arrival occurred approximately 50 minutes after sunset, which had taken place at 15:58 local time. At the time of the landing, the runway at the aerodrome was not illuminated.

The investigation

The investigation was conducted by the Aeroklub Białostocki. The PKBWL noted that despite two formal requests for the incident investigation results sent in July and October 2015, the final report from the investigating body was not provided to the Commission by the conclusion of the inquiry. Consequently, the PKBWL determined the probable cause based on the initial information provided in the aviation occurrence report.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by improper flight planning or execution, which resulted in a night landing on a runway that lacked lighting.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-10-31 Cessna 152 accident near Białystok (EPBK), PL?

A Cessna 152 completed a training flight involving multiple refueling stops, ultimately landing on an unlit runway after sunset.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-10-31 involved a Cessna 152, at Białystok (EPBK), PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by improper flight planning or execution, which resulted in a night landing on a runway that lacked lighting.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2014-1978/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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