What happened
On September 11, 2021, during an airshow celebrating the 110th anniversary of the Aero Club d'Italia, a near-collision occurred at Pavullo Airport (LIDP). Two aircraft, a Cessna F172L (registration I-ACMQ) and a Piper PA-18 (registration N1023N), were performing approaches for Runway 02 under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
The pilot of the N1023N was established on final approach when the Cessna F172L suddenly appeared above and to the right of the aircraft, cutting across the final approach path. The pilot of the N1023N immediately executed an evasive maneuver and a go-around. The Cessna F172L continued its approach and landed successfully. There were no injuries to the two occupants of either aircraft, and no damage was sustained by the airframes.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined flight tracks from Flightradar24, witness statements from the pilots and the event's radio operator (the "biga"), and video footage captured by an observer and a passenger.
Evidence showed that the I-ACMQ was flying a wider base turn, bypassing a hill, and re-aligning with the runway from the southeast. The N1023N had completed its turn earlier and was positioned closer to the airport. The investigation also noted that while a radio station was providing safety information to aircraft, it did not have air traffic control responsibilities. The investigation found that the pilot of the I-ACMQ did not follow the standard established landing procedure for Runway 02 at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause of the event was inadequate visual separation techniques between the two aircraft operating under VFR.
- The Cessna F172L failed to adhere to the established landing procedures for Pavullo Airport.
- The relative positions of the two aircraft during their approach trajectories made mutual visual acquisition difficult.
- The high volume of traffic during the national airshow likely contributed to task saturation for both the pilots and the radio operator, leading to a loss of situational awareness.