Incident Overview
On 28 June 2020, a student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country training flight in a Cirrus SR20, registration SP-ATO. The flight was planned under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from Poznań (EPPO) to Bydgoszcz (EPBY) and then to Lublin (EPLU). Due to deteriorating weather, the supervising instructor directed a return to EPPO.
Flight History
The student departed EPPO and landed at EPBY. After departing EPBY en route to EPLU, the student received information from FIS Poznań about intense thunderstorms near the intended destination. The supervising instructor then called FIS Poznań and requested that the student be instructed to return to EPPO due to weather. The student acknowledged the instruction and replanned the route from the Kostrzyń area back to EPPO.
Communication and Airspace Incursion
FIS Poznań instructed the student to contact Kobylnica Radio and later EPPO Tower before the VFR TANGO point. The student confirmed but shortly thereafter was observed changing course to the south, heading toward VFR ROMEO point of the EPKS military control zone (MCTR). The student failed to respond to subsequent calls from FIS Poznań and entered the MCTR EPKS airspace, which was occupied by another aircraft. FIS Poznań notified the EPKS tower controller about the incursion. While flying without communication inside the MCTR, the aircraft crossed the approach path to Runway 29.
Recovery
At 16:30 local time, the student re-established contact with FIS Poznań, who provided position information and directed to contact EPKS tower. The student contacted the tower, reporting position as "right base for Runway 28," indicating a loss of geographical orientation and a belief that they were approaching EPPO. The tower controller informed the student they were 1 NM south of EPKS. After regaining orientation, the student received clearance to continue to EPPO via VFR SIERRA point. At 16:35, the aircraft exited the MCTR and landed at EPPO.
Cause and Contributing Factors
The stated cause of the incident was loss of geographical orientation by the student pilot. Contributing factors included an unplanned change of landing airport during flight due to weather deterioration and the small distance (approximately 7 NM) between EPPO and EPKS airports.