What happened
On June 17, 2020, a Tecnam P2008-JC, registration SP-TIK, was conducting a VFR flight from Mirosławice (EPMR) to Łódź (EPLL). At approximately 12:27 local time, the crew contacted Łódź Tower and received clearance to enter the controlled airspace, with instructions to fly via the WHISKEY, LIMA, and YANKEE waypoints for a left-hand pattern for runway 07.
During the approach, the crew reported reaching the YANKEE waypoint at 12:33. The air traffic controller (ATC) noted that the aircraft had arrived at this point too quickly given the 10-knot headwind (with gusts up to 20 knots), suggesting the crew had omitted the LIMA waypoint during their arrival. The actual flight time of six minutes indicated the aircraft had flown a direct path between WHISKEY and YANKEE, covering approximately 9 NM instead of the expected 12 NM route.
After being instructed to enter the left-hand pattern and hold at the third turn, the crew reported reaching the holding position only 12 seconds later. At 12:35, while another aircraft was performing a low approach on runway 07, the controller observed the SP-TIK crossing the runway centerline from north to south. Upon questioning, the crew admitted they had passed the runway axis. To maintain separation, the controller instructed the crew to execute a right-hand pattern on the opposite side of the aerodrome. The crew later noted that they had seen the other aircraft on the final approach and were waiting for instructions, adding that the sequence of events occurred very rapidly.