What happened
On August 9, 2020, a Cessna 152, registration SP-KWW, was involved in a ground incident at Łódź-Lublinek Airport (EPLL). After completing a flight from Łososina, the pilot taxied to parking position number 8 near the Łódź Aero Club hangar. Upon learning that the aircraft required refueling, the pilot requested permission from the Łódź Tower to restart the engine and taxi to the fuel station located near taxiway B.
After receiving clearance to taxi via taxiway A to the holding point for runway 25, the pilot restarted the engine at approximately 10:58 LMT. During the taxi maneuver, the pilot mistakenly used a service road intended for vehicles instead of the designated taxiway. While crossing another service road near taxiway C, the pilot failed to notice a STOP sign equipped with a signal light. Consequently, the right wing of the Cessna 152 struck the sign. The pilot continued taxiing toward the runway 25 holding point, receiving clearance to cross runway 25 and proceed via taxiway B, without stopping to inspect the damage. After reaching the fuel station and shutting down the engine, the pilot discovered the damage to the right wing and was subsequently notified by the Airport Operations Duty Officer that the sign had also been struck.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the pilot's navigation of the airport surface and the accuracy of the pre-flight preparation. The investigation established that the pilot was operating with approximately 90 flight hours of experience. The commission also examined the pilot's use of airport documentation, noting that a copy of the EPLL airport chart from the AIP Poland was on board the aircraft at the time of the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to follow taxi procedures at a controlled aerodrome, specifically the error of taxiing on a service road.
- The pilot's limited experience (approximately 90 hours) contributed to the error.
- Inadequate pre-flight preparation, specifically a failure to thoroughly study the airport charts, was a contributing factor.
- High ambient temperatures may have contributed to pilot fatigue and a loss of concentration.