Introduction
On 6 August 2019, a serious incident occurred in the Łódź Terminal Control Area (TMA) involving a Tecnam P2008-JC (registration SP-HSI) and a Cessna 152 (registration SP-KWW). The Tecnam was on a training flight with an instructor and a student pilot aboard. Both aircraft were operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in controlled airspace.
Sequence of Events
The Cessna 152 took off from Łódź airport (EPLL) at 08:26 UTC+2, having received clearance for a VFR flight from runway 25 to point YANKEE, then to WHISKEY at 1,800 ft. The crew requested and received approval to fly directly to WHISKEY, bypassing YANKEE.
At 08:29, the Tecnam crew reported to Łódź Tower near point HOTEL at 1,700 ft. They received clearance to enter controlled airspace at 2,000 ft and proceed to point GOLF, then to WHISKEY. The tower controller informed the Tecnam crew about the Cessna climbing to 1,800 ft toward WHISKEY. The Tecnam crew acknowledged and stated they were looking for the Cessna. The controller instructed the Tecnam crew to report point GOLF.
Less than two minutes later, the controller informed the Cessna crew about the Tecnam proceeding from GOLF to WHISKEY at 2,000 ft. The Cessna crew acknowledged and confirmed they were maintaining 1,800 ft.
At 08:36, radar display showed two overlapping targets near WHISKEY. One target corresponded to the Tecnam at 1,900 ft; the other, with transponder code 7000 and no altitude information, was likely the Cessna. The Tecnam crew, flying at 2,020 ft on a heading of 340°, observed the Cessna passing approximately 50 ft above them. Shortly after, the Cessna crew reported heading toward point LIMA.
The Tecnam crew did not report passing GOLF. They subsequently reported their position over WHISKEY at 2,200 ft. When queried by the controller about an altitude change, the Tecnam crew stated they had increased altitude because the Cessna was definitely higher than 1,800 ft.
The convergence occurred in Class D controlled airspace. The tower controller provided traffic information to both crews, who acknowledged receipt. Radio communication was conducted in English with the Tecnam crew and in Polish with the Cessna crew; the language difference did not affect the receipt or understanding of traffic information.
Both crews were responsible for visual scanning and collision avoidance under VFR. The Cessna crew decided to increase altitude before the convergence, and the Tecnam crew did so after. Neither crew informed the controller of the altitude change, which is required in controlled airspace.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the investigation, was: 1. Increase of flight altitude of the Cessna aircraft. 2. Improper visual scanning by the Cessna crew.
No contributing factors or safety recommendations were identified.