What happened
On April 13, 2022, at approximately 08:20 local time, two Tecnam P2006-JC aircraft were performing left-hand traffic pattern turns for runway 21 at EPPT. The first aircraft, SP-LFF, departed following a convoy. Shortly thereafter, the second aircraft, SP-HSI, took off. Both aircraft were engaged in flight training and were operated with two-person crews, including instructors.
During the maneuvers, the pilot of SP-HSI performed the first turn of the pattern prematurely, failing to adjust the turn point to account for the position of the preceding aircraft, SP-LFF. This maneuver caused the second aircraft to overtake the first during the pattern. As a result, the flight paths of the two aircraft intersected near the second turn, with a vertical separation of only several dozen meters. The crews of both aircraft failed to visually identify one another prior to the loss of separation. The incident was witnessed by a pilot of another aircraft operating in the pattern. Both aircraft subsequently landed safely at their intended destinations.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequences and the actions of both crews. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft were operating in a training capacity and that the separation loss occurred due to the specific timing of the turns performed by the trailing aircraft.