What happened
On February 2, 2025, at approximately 08:25 local time, an instructor and a student pilot were conducting takeoff and landing practice at Requena Aerodrome (LERE), Valencia, Spain. The aircraft involved in the training flight was a PIPER PA-2XB (registration EC-FRJ).
During the fourth landing of the session, the crew of the PIPER PA-28 observed another aircraft, a MORANE SAULNIER MS 892 (registration EC-ITO), entering the runway via taxiway H. The MORANE SAULNIER MS 892 was taxiing toward runway 30 with two occupants on board. The crew of the EC-FRJ reported that they had broadcast their position and intentions via radio both while on short final and after touchdown, but received no response from the other aircraft.
To avoid a collision, the crew of the EC-FRJ aborted the takeoff and applied brakes. The pilot of the EC-ITO also brought the aircraft to a halt. The two aircraft eventually stopped facing each other, maintaining a distance of approximately 60 meters. Following the encounter, the pilot of the EC-ITO notified the crew via radio that they would turn around and exit the runway via taxiway H, followed by the EC-FRJ.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances leading to the runway incursion, focusing on the pilot's failure to follow entry procedures and the lack of radio communication. Investigators noted that the pilot of the EC-ITO entered the runway via taxiway H2 rather than the standard taxiway E. This deviation was reportedly due to a large puddle of standing water on taxiway E, caused by recent rainfall, which made the runway a more attractive path for pilots.
Regarding communications, while the pilot of the EC-ITO had previously reported intermittent radio issues, the investigation found that a secondary radio was available for use. Additionally, the sun's position (at an azimuth of 113.5°) may have contributed to visual difficulties, as the low sun was positioned almost directly in front of the pilot's path.
Findings
- The primary cause of the runway incursion was that the pilot of the MORANE SAULNIER MS 892 failed to follow standard procedures for entering an active runway, which resulted in the failure to detect the approaching aircraft and a failure to communicate via radio.
- A contributing factor was the presence of standing water on the taxiway, which prompted the pilot to use the runway for taxiing to avoid the puddle.
- There were no injuries and no aircraft damage resulting from the incident.