Summary
On 16 June 2020, a serious incident occurred at Warsaw Babice Airport (EPBC) involving an AT3 R100 (registration SP-RWG) flown by a student pilot and a Cessna 150 (registration D-ECNI) piloted by a private pilot. The aircraft were operating in the same circuit pattern, leading to a loss of separation. No injuries or aircraft damage were reported.
Incident Details
The student pilot was conducting his second solo circuit flight in the AT3 on runway 28 at approximately 09:30 UTC. While turning onto the first leg of the circuit at about 1,500 feet, the instructor observing from the ground noticed another aircraft approaching from the FOXTROT navigation point and entering the circuit at the same turn. This was the Cessna 150, being flown by a pilot with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) who was completing a revalidation flight after a long break.
The Cessna pilot entered the circuit at 1,500 feet, maintaining a position on the outer boundary. He briefly saw the AT3 approximately 200–300 feet to his right and below, then lost visual contact. The Cessna subsequently overtook the AT3 and landed first. The AT3 landed second without further incident.
Findings
- Both pilots held valid licences and medical certificates.
- Both aircraft were properly registered and insured.
- Weather conditions were VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) with no influence on the event.
- The student pilot's solo circuits were performed correctly.
- The Cessna pilot failed to maintain adequate separation from the AT3, which had priority to land while flying the circuit.
Cause
The cause of the serious incident was the lack of proper separation by the Cessna from the AT3, which had priority to land while flying the circuit.
Contributing Factors
- Inadequate supervision of circuit traffic by the flight coordinator at Warsaw Babice.
- AFIS and the flight coordinator operating in the same airspace on different frequencies without coordination.
Recommendations
No safety recommendations were formulated.