Incident Overview
On 11 September 2021, at approximately 07:18 UTC, a serious incident occurred at Pavullo Airport (LIDP) involving a Cessna F172L, registration I-ACMQ, and a Piper PA-18, registration N1023N. Both aircraft were participating in a fly-in organized for the 110th anniversary of the Aero Club d'Italia. The Cessna had departed Legnago Airport and the Piper had departed Mantua Airport, both operating under visual flight rules without flight plans. Weather conditions were calm with clear skies, and runway 02 was in use.
Sequence of Events
During the final approach for runway 02, the two aircraft came into close proximity on short final, resulting in a near collision. The Piper PA-18, which was the second aircraft in the landing sequence, visually acquired the Cessna and executed an evasive turn and a go-around, subsequently performing another traffic pattern and landing. The Cessna continued its approach and landed. There were no injuries to the two occupants on each aircraft, and neither aircraft sustained damage.
Investigation Findings
A ground observer (the event director) reported seeing the Cessna perform an unsafe maneuver and advised the Piper to go around. The pilot of the Cessna stated he had not seen any traffic ahead or to the sides during his final approach. The pilot of the Piper reported that after entering a left downwind for runway 02, he was number two for landing, maintaining visual separation from the aircraft ahead. On short final, he heard a call from another aircraft on short final and was instructed by the ground radio to go around. Moments later, the Cessna appeared abruptly above his right wing, leading him to take evasive action.
Video evidence from a ground observer and a passenger on the Piper showed the Piper stabilized on short final while the Cessna entered the final approach from above and to the right, initially not visible to the Piper. The Cessna then turned and lined up in front of the Piper. Analysis of flight tracks from Flightradar24 indicated that the Cessna had flown a wider base leg near the Scoltenna River and re-entered the final approach after circling a hill, while the Piper was closer to the airport and had a more direct approach with a slight convergence from the southwest.
Contributing Factors
The investigation noted that both pilots did not have visual contact with each other during the critical phase. The Cessna pilot had the other aircraft in a blind spot to his lower right. The Cessna also did not follow the standard approach procedure for runway 02 as depicted in airport charts. The Piper, having turned base earlier, was lower and ahead of the Cessna, making it difficult to see the Cessna above and behind. The warning from the ground radio, "Two aircraft on short final, the second go around," was interpreted by the Piper pilot as referring to traffic ahead that he could not see.
Right-of-Way Rules
According to SERA.3210 (right-of-way rules), the aircraft ahead or lower has right of way. In this context, the Piper was lower and ahead, but neither aircraft had the other in sight, which is a prerequisite for applying the rules.