Introduction
On July 24, 2021, at approximately 13:15 local time, a serious incident occurred at Łososina Dolna airport (EPNL) involving two aircraft: a Jak-12M (registration SP-AWD) operated by Aeroklub Podhalański and an Aero AT-3R100 (registration SP-CLC) operated by Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Chełmie. The incident took place during taxi operations from the airport's fueling station.
Sequence of Events
The Aero AT-3R100 had landed at 12:32 local time for refueling while on a cross-country training flight. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. After landing, the aircraft taxied to the fueling station and was refueled. The instructor left the area, and the student pilot also departed after refueling. To allow another aircraft (the Jak-12M) to access the fuel pump, two local aeroclub pilots and the student pilot manually moved the AT-3, eventually positioning it on the grass adjacent to the fueling apron, as shown in monitoring footage.
Meanwhile, the pilot of the Jak-12M verbally reminded the student pilot of the obligation to remove the aircraft from the apron after refueling, then began refueling his own aircraft. The instructor later returned, and both pilots prepared for departure. After refueling, the Jak-12M pilot entered the cockpit, called "clear prop," started the engine, radioed his intention to taxi, and began moving. Due to limited space and poor forward visibility from the cockpit (a high engine cowling), he immediately turned right to exit the apron toward the maneuvering area, but during the turn struck the left side of the parked AT-3. The impact caused the Jak-12M's engine to stop.
Injuries and Damage
As the collision occurred, the student pilot of the AT-3 was boarding the cockpit. To avoid being hit, he attempted to jump out through the open canopy toward the right wing, but the force of the impact caused him to fall and sustain serious injuries. The Jak-12M pilot and the AT-3 instructor, who were outside the aircraft, were uninjured. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Probable Cause
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined the probable cause of the incident to be: (1) pilot error of the Jak-12M pilot by not ensuring the taxi path was clear of obstacles, and (2) positioning of the AT-3 in close proximity to the fueling apron. Contributing factors included limited lateral and forward visibility from the Jak-12M cockpit and the lack of maneuvering space for zigzag taxiing to monitor the path.