Summary
On 24 February 2019 at approximately 15:35 local time, a student pilot flying a Cessna 150 on a solo cross-country route from Dęblin to Łuków to Żelechów and back to Dęblin experienced a loss of geographic orientation. The incident occurred on the second leg of the flight between Kock and Łuków at a planned altitude of 2,000 feet.
Circumstances
The student pilot lost situational awareness and contacted Flight Information Service (FIS) to ask if they had radar contact with the aircraft. FIS responded that there was no radar coverage at that altitude in the area. When asked if assistance was needed, the student declined and continued flying on the same heading, attempting to regain orientation using maps and landmarks. After reaching a road not on the planned route and exceeding the calculated time to the next waypoint, the student decided to circle over the road and request FIS assistance. However, while attempting to contact FIS, the student inadvertently switched the radio to the Dęblin Radio frequency, where an instructor was monitoring traffic patterns. The instructor heard the student's transmission, inquired about the course and VOR radial from SIE, and instructed the student to climb to 3,000 feet, fly "towards the sun," and return to the FIS frequency. The instructor then contacted FIS to relay the situation. At approximately 2,800 feet, radar contact was established, and FIS provided the student with a heading and time to the airport. The instructor flew towards the student's aircraft, established visual contact, and escorted the student to the airport for a landing without further incident.
Cause
The cause of the incident was a failure to maintain navigation principles, specifically a lack of course and time control on the route segment.
Contributing Factors
A contributing factor was the flight being planned in an area where the student had not previously flown.
Preventive Actions
The incident was discussed during an instructor seminar. Principles of instructor supervision of student solo flights were reviewed. Procedures for handling loss of geographic orientation were discussed with training participants.
Safety Recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued by the investigation commission.