What happened
On April 11, 2015, a Cessna U-206-F, registration EC-LKR, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Castellón, Spain. The pilot was tasked with treating flies in the province, flying between 1,500 and 2,000 feet AGL. At the time, a local air race known as the "Vuelta Aérea Costa de Azahar" was taking place, with a published NOTAM restricting participating aircraft to altitudes below 1,000 feet AGL.
While cruising at approximately 1,800 feet AGL southwest of Vila-real, the pilot of EC-LKR observed a Cessna 152 flying only 100 feet below his altitude. Shortly thereafter, at 11:22 local time, the pilot encountered another aircraft—believed to be a white Cessna 172—crossing his path at the same altitude. The aircraft passed at an estimated distance of only 60 meters, forcing the pilot to execute an immediate evasive maneuver. The pilot of the second aircraft did not communicate his position or altitude on the local frequency.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight logs, pilot testimonies, and the applicable NOTAM. The pilot of EC-AMD had planned the mission to avoid the air race airspace, and both the pilot and the aircraft were fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. The investigation also included testimony from an organizer of the air race, who noted that while most participants followed the route, some aircraft had to climb due to terrain.
Investigators attempted to locate the second aircraft involved in the near-miss, but the aircraft could not be identified. The investigation also reviewed radio communications, noting that the agricultural pilots were providing regular position and altitude updates on the Castellón frequency, but the racing aircraft were not responding to these transmissions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the loss of separation was that several aircraft participating in the air race were flying above the vertical limits established by the NOTAM.
- The pilot of EC-LKR had properly planned the flight to avoid the restricted airspace.
- The aircraft involved in the near-collision were operating in uncontrolled airspace (Class G) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
- The agricultural pilot had increased his altitude to 2,000 feet AGL in an attempt to increase vertical separation from the racing traffic, but this was insufficient to prevent the encounter.