What happened
On May 21, 2024, at Piotrków Trybunalski Airport (EPPT), several types of aircraft, including a Skyvan SC-7, were operating alongside scheduled skydiving activities. During the skydiving session, a skydiver was released from the Skyvan aircraft. Due to a decrease in the headwind component during descent, the skydiver drifted approximately 100 meters away from the intended landing zone, eventually landing near taxiway BRAVO.
At approximately 19:12 local time, a Tecnam P2008-JC, registration SP-LFH, was taxiing along taxiway BRAVO. The student pilot on board reported a sudden lack of control response to the instructor. The instructor noticed a shadow trailing the aircraft, took control, and subsequently shut down the engine. Upon exiting the aircraft, the crew discovered the skydiver attempting to untangle parachute lines that had become caught on the aircraft's vertical stabilizer.
The investigation
The investigation examined the coordination between air traffic services and skydiving operations during a period of high traffic density. The investigation established that the air traffic controller was heavily occupied managing multiple aircraft in the circuit and on the ground, which led to a failure to notice the skydiver descending near taxiway BRAVO. Additionally, the investigation looked into the lack of communication from the skydiving coordinator regarding the skydiver's deviation from the planned landing area.
Findings
- High volume of aerial operations at EPPT increased the complexity of managing the airspace.
- Inexperience of the skydiver contributed to the deviation from the planned landing zone.
- Lack of situational awareness by both the air traffic controller and the skydiving coordinator, as neither reacted to the presence of the skews diver outside the designated area.
- Limited visibility for the aircraft crew due to the high-wing configuration of the Tecnam P2008-JC, which obstructed the view of the area immediately behind the aircraft.