Summary
On February 2, 2025, at 16:09 local time, two aircraft experienced a near collision while on approach to Sabadell Airport (LELL) in Barcelona, Spain. The aircraft involved were a VANS RV7A, registration EC-XLN, and a TECNAM P92JS, registration EC-IJB. Both were operating under visual flight rules (VFR). All four occupants (one pilot and one passenger on EC-XLN; one instructor and one student on EC-IJB) were uninjured.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The VANS RV7A, privately owned and operated, was conducting a recreational cross-country flight from La Cerdanya aerodrome. The TECNAM P92JS, owned and operated by Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, was on a dual instruction flight from Reus airport. Both aircraft were in contact with Sabadell tower at the time of the incident.
Sequence of Events
According to the report, the controller noted heavy traffic due to the Sunday schedule. After handling a preceding aircraft, the controller instructed the pilot of EC-XLN to orbit around the visual reporting point N for sequencing. The pilot executed a wide left orbit. The controller attempted to pass traffic information to EC-IJB but was unable due to the frequency being continuously occupied by other transmissions.
The pilot of EC-XLN reported being at 2,500 ft, orbiting left near point N, with visibility affected by the sun's position. He was unaware of EC-IJB's approach, citing the busy frequency. He noticed EC-IJB crossing from right to left, estimating a vertical separation of no more than 150 ft above.
The pilot of EC-IJB stated he was aware of two traffic aircraft but initially had difficulty determining whether EC-XLN was approaching or receding. He heard the tower instruct EC-XLN to orbit, but the orbit was wide and EC-XLN suddenly closed in. The instructor executed an evasive maneuver by applying power to avoid collision, estimating a vertical separation of approximately 3 meters. Communication with the tower was hampered by other traffic blocking the frequency.
After the incident, both aircraft landed uneventfully on runway 13 at Sabadell.
Cause
The investigation determined that the incident was caused by a failure in the application of the see-and-avoid principle under visual flight rules. Contributing factors included communications issues due to multiple traffic occupying the frequency, and the provision of ATC instructions in Class G airspace, which may have led crews to reduce vigilance assuming they were protected from other traffic.