What happened
On May 20, 2016, a flight training mission was being conducted in a Cessna 150 under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). The crew, consisting of an instructor and a student pilot, had altered their original flight plan while airborne, submitting the updated route to FIS Olsztyn. The flight was intended to proceed toward point "EPMM R".
During the flight, the aircraft deviated from its intended track. This deviation resulted in the unauthorized entry into the EPMM MAT/T airspace near point "EPMM N" without prior authorization. Upon entering the airspace, the crew was notified by air traffic services of the requirement to establish communication with EPMM TWR, which they promptly did. The flight subsequently returned to EPBC without further incident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the navigational error and the crew's actions. It was established that the instructor had intended to use this specific portion of the flight as an exercise to fly an unplanned route. The instructor was aware of the aircraft's position and maintained two-way radio communication throughout the event. However, the investigation noted that the student pilot lost geographical orientation while near the EPMM airport, and the instructor did not intervene to prevent the student from being distracted while attempting to re-establish situational awareness.
Findings
- The primary cause of the airspace infringement was a pilot-student error involving an incorrect wind correction calculation performed while airborne.
- The instructor's decision to perform an unplanned route as a training exercise contributed to the deviation.
- The student pilot experienced a loss of geographical orientation near the EPMM airfield.