What happened
On June 26, 2020, a student pilot was conducting a solo VFR training flight in a Cirrus SR20, registration SP-ATO. The flight originated from EPPO, proceeded to EPBY, and was intended to continue to EPLU. During the flight, the FIS Poznań controller informed the pilot of intense thunderstorms near the planned destination. Following a request from the flight instructor, the pilot was instructed to divert back to EPPO.
In response to the weather, the student pilot planned a new route from the Kostrzyn area toward EPPO. The controller instructed the pilot to establish communication with Kobylnica Radio and subsequently with EPPO Tower before reaching the VFR TANGO waypoint. However, the controller observed that SP-ATO had changed course to the south, heading toward the VFR ROMEO waypoint within the Poznań control zone (MCTR EPKS). During this period, the pilot failed to respond to FIS Poznań communications and entered the controlled airspace, where another aircraft was operating. The controller subsequently notified EPKS Tower of the unauthorized entry.
At approximately 16:30, the student pilot re-established contact with FIS Poznań. Upon contacting EPKS Tower, the pilot reported being on the "Right base for RWY 28," indicating a significant loss of geographical orientation and the mistaken belief that the aircraft was approaching EPPO. The tower controller informed the pilot that the aircraft was actually 1 NM south of EPKS. After regaining orientation, the pilot was cleared to continue to EPPO via the VFR SIERRA waypoint and landed safely at EPPO at 16:35.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight path, communication logs, and the sequence of events following the weather-related diversion. The investigation focused on the pilot's deviation from the instructed route and the subsequent entry into the Poznań control zone.