Incident Overview
On 23 May 2024, an incident occurred at the Kamień Śląski aerodrome (EPKN) involving two Cessna 152 aircraft. The first aircraft, a Cessna 152F registered as SP-KIA, departed from EPKN and, after reaching the second turn of the traffic circuit, changed its flight path. It crossed the aerodrome traffic circuit at an altitude of approximately 800 feet AGL over the runway threshold, without maintaining the recommended separation above the circuit area. At the same time, a second aircraft, a Cessna 152 registered as SP-KCI piloted by a student pilot, was approaching to land.
The ground instructor, who was supervising the student pilot, radioed the pilot of SP-KIA and inquired about the aircraft's altitude over the airfield. SP-KCI landed safely at EPKN, while SP-KIA continued its flight to the intended destination EPGL. The two aircraft passed each other at a safe distance, but the maneuver was not conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Findings
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) analyzed the documentation and concluded that the incident involved a deviation from standard circuit procedures. The flight path change by SP-KIA resulted in a less than required separation from the landing aircraft. Additionally, the ground instructor did not issue a clear warning to SP-KIA before it entered the area over the runway threshold.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The PKBWL identified the following causes of the incident:
- Change of flight trajectory after the circuit and flight over the runway threshold by SP-KIA while another aircraft was on approach to land.
- Lack of unambiguous reaction by the ground instructor after observing a potential traffic conflict: the pilot of SP-KIA was not warned before entering the area over the runway threshold.
A contributing factor was the non-standard phraseology used in radio communication by the ground station.
Preventive Actions
The organization operating SP-KIA implemented several preventive measures: it conducted an explanatory conversation with the pilot and instructed him on correct and safe procedures for entering and leaving the aerodrome traffic circuit. The organization's head of training decided that before the pilot's next solo flight, he would perform a flight with an instructor to verify his skills and refresh his practical knowledge of safe circuit procedures. The head of training also discussed with flight personnel the contents of the Civil Aviation Authority's Advisory Circular No. 001/2010 and the procedures for safe entry/exit of the traffic circuit. The incident was included in the organization's safety bulletin.
No safety recommendations were issued by the PKBWL.