Summary
On 11 October 2012, a serious incident occurred at Sabadell Airport (LELL) involving a Pilatus PC-12/47E, registration M-WINT, and a Cessna F152, registration EC-DMC. The two aircraft crossed at a horizontal distance of 0 nautical miles and a vertical separation of 100 feet. No occupants were injured and neither aircraft sustained damage.
History of the Flight
The Pilatus PC-12, operated as a private flight from Denham Airport (United Kingdom) to Sabadell, carried a pilot, one support staff, and four passengers. The Cessna F152 was on a local instructional flight with dual controls, piloted by an instructor and a student, performing touch-and-go landings on Runway 31.
At 09:38 UTC, the student controller under evaluation cleared the Pilatus to enter the right downwind leg for Runway 31, informing it was number three in sequence behind the Cessna. The Pilatus pilot acknowledged. At 09:42, the student controller cleared the Cessna for a touch-and-go. The Pilatus pilot reported turning final; the controller cleared it to continue approach and stated it was number one. However, the Pilatus was lining up for Runway 13 instead of Runway 31.
The instructor in the tower noticed the deviation and instructed the Pilatus to "break right." After crossing, the controller cleared the Pilatus to land on Runway 13. Radar data showed the aircraft crossed with zero horizontal separation and 100 feet vertical separation.
Personnel Information
The Pilatus pilot, a 48-year-old British national, held a valid CPL(A) with a Pilatus PC-12 rating and 6,718 total flight hours (3,000 on type). The Cessna instructor, a 47-year-old Spanish national, held CPL(A) and PPL(A) with FI(A) rating, with 2,439:29 total hours (1,800 on type). The student pilot had 25:45 hours. The student controller under evaluation was a 29-year-old Belgian with an EU air traffic controller license and ADV/ADI ratings. An instructor, evaluator, and observer were also present in the tower.
Aircraft Information
The Pilatus PC-12/47E (serial number 1346) had a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P engine and 195.8 flight hours. Its certificates were valid. The Cessna F152 (serial number 1783) had a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine and 12,664 flight hours. Its certificates were also valid.
Meteorological Information
METAR reports at 09:30 and 10:00 indicated visibility over 10 km, few clouds at 2,000 ft, and wind from 250° to 260° at 5 to 6 knots.
Communications
ATC communications were handled by the student controller from 09:37 to 09:45. He communicated with seven aircraft in Spanish and English. A full transcript is available in the original report.