Background
On 2 February 2025, at approximately 8:25 local time, a Piper PA-28 (registration EC-FRJ) operated by AIRPULL AVIATION S.L. was conducting training flights at Requena Aerodrome (LERE) in Valencia, Spain. The aircraft carried an instructor and a student pilot. A second aircraft, a Morane Saulnier MS 892 (registration EC-ITO), privately owned and operated by the CLUB DE VUELO UNIVERSAL, was occupied by a pilot and a passenger.
Incident Description
The Piper PA-28 had performed multiple circuits and landings on runway 30. During the fourth landing, after touching down, the crew observed the Morane Saulnier entering the runway at entry H2, approximately 750 m from the threshold. The Morane Saulnier proceeded toward the threshold, contrary to standard procedures. The Piper crew had announced their position and intentions on the radio while on short final and after landing but received no response from the other pilot.
Both aircraft stopped on the runway facing each other, separated by about 60 m. The Morane Saulnier pilot then radioed that he would turn around and exit via the same entry H2, followed by the Piper. After both exited, the Piper continued its training flight, while the Morane Saulnier later departed at 11:00 for two planned flights.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the runway incursion occurred because the pilot of the Morane Saulnier MS 892 did not follow active runway entry procedures, which led to him not noticing the other aircraft or communicating his presence by radio. A contributing factor was the presence of a large puddle near entry H2, which had formed after previous day's rains and prompted the pilot to use an alternate entry. This puddle's risk could be mitigated.
The report issued two safety recommendations to the owner and manager of AIRPULL AVIATION: first, to repair the taxiway area at entry H2 to prevent water accumulation; second, to modify runway entry procedures so that pilots verify radio functionality before entering the runway, not after already on it.