Incident Details
On May 16, 2016, at Rudniki airfield (EPRU), glider and airplane flights were in progress. Launches were conducted from both concrete and grass runways on heading 08 due to a light southerly wind with an easterly component. At the threshold of runway 08, a Dynamik towplane with a Swift glider was preparing for takeoff.
Approximately 30 minutes after flight operations began, a Piper Mirage (registration SP-NPA) took off from runway 26, the opposite direction. The pilot did not establish radio communication with the flight coordinator and did not verify the current start layout. The airfield and runway 08/26 have a convex center section, making full-length observation from either threshold impossible. Under these circumstances, any pilot initiating a takeoff must absolutely confirm via radio or in person which direction is safe for the operation.
Causes of the Incident
The investigation identified two causes: 1. The pilot of the Piper Mirage failed to familiarize himself with the current flight organization at the airfield. 2. The pilot initiated a takeoff operation from a runway on whose opposite end a team was preparing for departure.
Further Actions
No preventive actions were taken, and no safety recommendations were issued.