Incident Overview
On 14 August 2020, a student pilot flying solo cross-country in a Cessna 172N (registration SP-IDA) from Warsaw-Babice Airport (EPBC) was completing the final leg of her training flight. After passing through waypoints JULIETT and LIMA, she contacted Babice Radio and joined the third turn of the traffic pattern for runway 10R. At approximately 11:30 LMT (local time), as she turned onto final, she suddenly noticed another aircraft ahead of her turning onto the same final approach from point FOXTROT. The student pilot had not received any traffic advisory about this aircraft. Initially, the other aircraft was higher, but it began to descend, indicating it also intended to land. Unsure whether it would perform a full-stop landing or a touch-and-go, she decided to stay left and executed a go-around over the grass runway 10L for safety.
Observing Instructor's Response
The approach of the Cessna 172 was being monitored by an instructor pilot who deemed the overtaking of the C172 on final by the other aircraft as unsafe and ordered the student to go around.
Other Aircraft's Account
The operator of the Cessna 172 established that the preceding aircraft was a Cessna 152 (registration SP-KFP). However, the Cessna 152 operator, after being notified of the incident, stated that at the reported time (11:40) the Cessna 152 had been on the ground for 10 minutes. The Cessna 152 was crewed by an instructor pilot and a student pilot, who were performing initial circuit training for the PPL(A) license. The crew did not observe the situation described.
Timeline and Flight Data
According to the flight log, the Cessna 152 had flown 7 training circuits that day, with 6 circuits lasting 10 minutes each and one lasting 5 minutes. The last flight took place between 11:25 and 11:30. A 10-minute circuit corresponds to the northern pattern, while a 5-minute circuit corresponds to the southern pattern. The student pilot in the Cessna 172 reported turning onto final around 11:30 and seeing the other aircraft also turning onto final. She assumed the aircraft was flying from FOXTROT. The southern pattern's leg from FOXTROT merges onto final at the third turn, aligning with the observed path.
Commission's Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the most likely scenario was that the Cessna 152's last flight was on the southern pattern, and around 11:30 both aircraft turned onto final nearly simultaneously.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The Commission identified the following causes and contributing factors for the incident: 1. Inadequate observation of airspace in the traffic pattern. 2. Failure to provide traffic information to aircraft crews.
Preventive Actions
In October 2020, the incident was discussed with representatives of organizations participating in the BL Conference. No safety recommendations were formulated.