Incident Overview
On 2 August 2019, a Cessna C-152 (registration SP-KCH) departed from Krakow Pobiednik (EPKP) on a VFR flight plan through TMA Kraków via point INDIA. After takeoff, the pilot contacted FIS Kraków and then switched to Kraków Approach frequency. Near point ECHO, the aircraft entered the controlled airspace of TMA Kraków through the lower boundary of the LTMA sector without obtaining ATC clearance.
Subsequently, the pilot established contact with the approach controller and stated that he was flying according to his flight plan. The controller instructed the pilot to hold at his current position. At that time, the C-152 was approximately 2.5 nautical miles south of the final approach path to runway 25 at Kraków Balice (EPKK), abeam the 8-mile approach fix, at an altitude of 3000 feet. The pilot likely misheard or misinterpreted the transmission and responded that he was maintaining altitude and proceeding to point INDIA.
To separate the C-152 from an aircraft approaching to land, the controller then ordered a heading change to 160 degrees. The pilot complied. However, the controller's action was insufficient, resulting in a violation of the required minimum separation. The minimum distance between the aircraft was 4 NM horizontally and 300 feet vertically, whereas required separation was 5 NM horizontally and 1000 feet vertically. The relative geometry of the two aircraft did not pose a collision risk.
Causes
The State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation identified two causes: 1) Entry of the Cessna 152 into controlled airspace without establishing communication and obtaining ATC clearance. 2) Erroneous assessment of the traffic situation by the controller.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contributed to the incident:
- The pilot's belief that filing a flight plan alone permitted entry into controlled airspace.
- The pilot's misinterpretation of the controller's instruction to hold position.
- The controller's failure to take additional actions to maintain radar separation.
Preventive Actions
No additional safety recommendations were formulated. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency provided an extract of the incident report to the aircraft operator for analysis and use in pilot training.