History of the Flight
At 08:32 UTC, aircraft A, a Cirrus SR22 registered N830CD, was approximately 33 nm south of Vamdrup Aerodrome (EKVD) conducting a private IFR flight from Hilversum (EHHV). The pilot in the left seat, who owned the aircraft, had limited instrument experience and was not IFR current. The pilot in the right seat, a friend who held an instrument rating instructor qualification, acted as pilot in command and handled radio communication. A third occupant, a pilot and flight examiner, sat in the rear. None of the three were familiar with EKVD. They had agreed to conduct the flight as an informal IFR training flight, with the left-seat pilot flying and the instructor monitoring.
Aircraft B, a Piper PA38 registered OY-BRP, was on a local VFR instructional solo flight from Billund (EKBI). The student pilot intended to perform touch-and-go landings at EKVD. Radio communication was conducted in English between Vamdrup AFIS and aircraft A, and in Danish with aircraft B.
At 08:34:29, the student pilot contacted Vamdrup AFIS, reporting the intention to conduct touch-and-go landings. AFIS advised of one IFR aircraft approaching from the south on the RNAV RWY 01 approach, seven minutes out, runway 01 in use, wind 220°/5 kt, QNH 1015 hPa. The student acknowledged and said he would keep a lookout.
At 08:38:50, Skrydstrup Approach cleared aircraft A for the RNAV (GNSS) RWY 01 approach via ROSRA IAF at 2300 ft. At 08:39:04, Approach informed aircraft A of local traffic, a Piper 38 doing circuits, and instructed contact with Vamdrup AFIS on 120.500 MHz.
At 08:39:36, the student pilot reported a minor flap problem. AFIS suggested turning onto the taxiway if a full-stop landing was needed, but the student continued the right-hand landing circuit.
The incident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions.
Personnel Information
The pilot of aircraft A (left seat) held a valid license and medical certificate, but his instrument flight experience was limited and he was not IFR current. The instructor (right seat) held an instrument rating instructor qualification and had extensive experience. The student pilot of aircraft B held a valid license and medical certificate for student pilot privileges.
Meteorological Information
TAF and METAR data indicated VMC at the time. Winds aloft aftercast provided additional information but did not contribute to the incident.
Communication
Vamdrup AFIS communicated with aircraft A in English and aircraft B in Danish. The instructor in aircraft A did not state the intention to deviate right of the centreline to AFIS.
Aerodrome Information
EKVD used runway 01. Traffic circuits were performed to the right.
Analysis (from the AIB)
The AIB determined that a loss of situational awareness likely prevented the pilot and instructor of aircraft A from locating and observing aircraft B on an extended right downwind leg. Aircraft A deviated to the right of the extended centreline, continuing with visual reference on a parallel track east of the aerodrome, without informing AFIS. Aircraft A and B flew on conflicting opposite tracks, passing each other at a horizontal distance of approximately 0.1 NM and vertically within 150 ft. Neither crew observed the other aircraft in time to perform avoiding action.