What happened
On August 6, 2015, a pilot operating a Cessna 152, registration SP-CKP, planned a training navigation flight starting from Grądy (EPGY) to Olsztyn (EPOD) and back to Grądy. The pilot, who did not hold night VFR authorization, was instructed to return to the home base no later than 20:30 LMT to ensure a daylight landing. Although sunset was expected at 20:18 LMT, the pilot departed Olsztyn at 20:12 LMT, leaving insufficient time to complete the return leg before darkness.
During the flight, the pilot spontaneously picked up a passenger for a circuit at Olsztyn. Due to high density altitude at the airfield that day, the pilot failed to properly calculate the aircraft's weight and balance or account for the degraded performance. To avoid obstacles following takeoff, the pilot executed the first turn too low and failed to maintain a safe altitude during the circuit. During the subsequent transit to Grądy, the pilot flew at an inappropriately low altitude and failed to establish contact with Olsztyn FIS.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot's decision-making was heavily influenced by emotions following a confrontation with a flight training manager. The investigation also noted that the pilot, who had held a license for less than one month and was only 17 years old, lacked the experience to anticipate the consequences of his actions, particularly regarding the impact of density altitude on aircraft performance and the necessity of precise time management for VFR flight planning.
Findings
- Inadequate flight preparation by the pilot during both the takeoff with a passenger and the navigation phase.
- Failure to perform a proper weight and balance calculation while carrying a passenger.
- Failure to account for high density altitude affecting aircraft performance.
- Lack of proper flight time analysis, leading to an arrival attempt during twilight/night conditions.
- The pilot's young age and minimal experience (less than one month of licensure) contributed to decision-making based on emotion rather than technical analysis.