Summary
On 8 May 2015, a pilot operating a Piper PA-28 Cherokee under VFR flight rules departed from EPZP en route to EPPK. During the flight, the pilot noticed intermittent radio communication issues, as some transmissions were not acknowledged by air traffic control. Approaching the southern boundary of the EPKS MATZ, the pilot received clearance to transit the EPKS aerodrome traffic zone but subsequently lost all radio communication.
Event Details
While attempting to restore radio functionality, the pilot partially disabled onboard navigation aids, including the GPS. This action resulted in a loss of detailed geographic orientation, leading the aircraft to violate the controlled zone (CTR) of EPPO airport. The pilot continued the flight and landed at EPPK. After landing, the pilot contacted EPPO Tower operations personnel by telephone to explain the circumstances.
Cause
The investigation determined that the violation of EPPO controlled airspace was caused by the pilot's loss of geographic orientation, which resulted from the deactivation of the onboard navigation device during radio troubleshooting.
Safety Recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued by the Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) following the investigation.