Flight Training Incident Involving Unauthorized MRT Penetration near EPLS

Casualties unknown • Rejon lotniska EPLS, PL

A student pilot flying a Tecnam P2002 failed to establish radio contact with FIS Poznań, leading to the unauthorized penetration of active Military Restricted Areas.

What happened

On February 17, 2020, a student pilot holding a PPL(A) license was conducting a training flight to build flight hours toward a CPL certificate. The flight was operated in the vicinity of the EPLS aerodrome. After departing the airport's ATZ, the pilot failed to switch to the FIS Poznań frequency, resulting in the aircraft operating without radio communication.

During the flight, the Tecnam P2002, registration SP-WIX, entered active Military Restricted Areas (MRT). This unauthorized entry caused a significant disruption to local airspace, forcing the suspension of operations at the EPKS aerodrome for approximately 20 minutes. After multiple unsuccessful attempts by controllers to reach the aircraft, another aircraft established contact with SP-WIX on the EPLS airport frequency. Following this intervention, the pilot established contact with FIS Poznań, exited the restricted airspace, and was subsequently cleared to land safely at EPPO.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to switch to the correct frequency and establish communication with FIS Poznań, resulting in the unauthorized entry into restricted military airspace.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-02-17 Tecnam P 2002 accident near Rejon lotniska EPLS, PL?

A student pilot flying a Tecnam P2002 failed to establish radio contact with FIS Poznań, leading to the unauthorized penetration of active Military Restricted Areas.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-02-17 involved a Tecnam P 2002, registration SP-WIX, operated by Pilot samolotowy z licencją PP, at Rejon lotniska EPLS, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to switch to the correct frequency and establish communication with FIS Poznań, resulting in the unauthorized entry into restricted military airspace.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2020-0603/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

Loading the flight search…