What happened
On December 27, 2017, a Piper PA-31 was performing a repositioning flight to Mielec (EPML) for winter hangar storage. After exiting controlled airspace, the pilot contacted the Mielec AFIS to declare intentions. The controller provided weather and traffic updates, noting that while runway 18 was the preferred direction due to wind, runway 09/2ually 27 was also available.
During the left-hand pattern, the pilot noted that smoke from a factory near the southeast boundary of the airfield was blowing across the field from a 170° wind. This smoke significantly obscured the visibility of runway 18. While the pilot could see parts of the airfield and estimated the runway's location, the smoke made precise identification difficult. The pilot decided to continue the approach, intending to divert to runway 27 if necessary.
As the aircraft transitioned to the final approach, the pilot was flying into the sun, which further hindered visual scanning. Approximately 1.5 km from the airfield, the pilot identified a paved road running perpendicular to the axis of runway 09/27. Upon reaching short final, the pilot realized this paved surface lacked runway markings. Having assessed the road's width, length, and obstacles, and feeling there was insufficient time to correct the approach or perform a go-around, the pilot decided to proceed with the landing on the taxiway. The landing occurred at 10:29 UTC.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions, including a 18-knot wind from 170°, and the pilot's decision-making process under degraded visual conditions. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's performance parameters and the visibility issues caused by industrial smoke and sun glare.