Event Details
On 15 February 2021, a Tecnam P2008 JC (unregistered) was conducting a training flight at Piotrków Trybunalski Airport (EPPT). The aircraft, piloted by a student pilot, was performing a closed route training flight with takeoff and landing at EPPT.
Sequence of Events
While approaching the airport, the controller instructed the pilot to enter the final approach for runway 03 and report on final. The pilot misinterpreted the instruction and instead entered the traffic pattern for runway 03. During the third turn, the pilot temporarily lost visual reference to the runway due to snow cover. At this point, the aircraft (aircraft 1) came within approximately 100 meters of another aircraft (aircraft 2) conducting a pattern training flight. The pilot of aircraft 1 did not see aircraft 2. The instructor in aircraft 2 radioed about the proximity and, observing that separation was maintained, executed the third turn and began descent. Aircraft 1 departed southward to repeat the approach, while aircraft 2 continued and landed on runway 03.
Findings
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation determined that the cause of the incident was entering the airport traffic pattern not in accordance with the controller's instruction. Contributing factors included the pilot's difficulty locating the runway due to snow cover, and the pilot reported that low cabin temperature hindered concentration.
Recommendations
No preventive recommendations or additional safety recommendations were issued by the investigation.