What happened
On February 15, 2021, a pilot was conducting a training flight on a closed circuit, departing from and returning to Piotrków Trybunalski Airport (EPPT). Upon notifying the air traffic controller of the intention to land, the pilot received instructions to enter the straight-in approach for runway 03 and to report once established on the straight-in. However, the pilot misunderstood the instruction and instead entered the traffic pattern for a standard circuit.
During the third turn of the circuit, the pilot experienced difficulty identifying the runway due to accumulated snow on the airfield. Consequently, the TECNAM P 2008 JC approached within approximately 100 meters of another aircraft performing a training circuit, which the pilot failed to notice. The instructor operating the second aircraft communicated the proximity via radio. After observing that separation was maintained, the instructor completed the third turn and commenced a descent. The first aircraft then departed southward to attempt a repeated approach, while the second aircraft continued its approach and landed on runway 03.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the final report submitted by the aircraft operator and analyzed the sequence of events, including radio communications and environmental conditions at the time of the incident.