What happened
On February 2, 2025, at 16:09 local time, a near-collision occurred near Tarrassa, Spain, involving two light aircraft approaching Sabadell Airport (LELL). The first aircraft, a VANS RV7A, registration EC-XLN, was conducting a private recreational flight from La Cerdanya with one pilot and one passenger. The second aircraft, a TECNAM P92JS, registration EC-IJB, was performing a flight instruction mission from Reus with an instructor and a student.
As both aircraft were approaching runway 13 under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the air traffic controller instructed EC-XLN to orbit at point N to sequence it for landing. During this process, the instructor in the TECNAM P92JS observed the VANS RV7A approaching rapidly. To prevent a collision, the instructor applied power to perform an evasive maneuver, passing just above the other aircraft. Radar data indicated a minimum separation of only 0.1 NM and 0 feet at the moment of closest approach.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight paths, communication logs, and environmental conditions. The investigation established that the controller had provided instructions to EC-XLN while it was still outside the controlled aerodrome airspace (Class G). The investigation also noted that the radio frequency was heavily congested with multiple aircraft, which prevented the controller from providing timely traffic information to the TECNament P92JS and hindered the pilot of EC-XLN from receiving updates regarding other nearby traffic.
Environmental factors were also analyzed, specifically the position of the sun. At the time of the incident, the sun was low on the horizon, which likely created glare for the pilot of EC-XLN, making it difficult to detect the approaching TECNAM P92JS from the southwest.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to apply the "see and avoid" principle required under VFR.
- Communication difficulties occurred because the radio frequency was saturated with multiple aircraft, preventing effective traffic information exchange.
- The provision of ATC instructions in Class G airspace may have created a false sense of security among the crews, leading them to believe they were being protected from other traffic when they remained responsible for their own separation.
- The sun's position contributed to the difficulty in detecting the approaching aircraft.