What happened
On October 15, 2018, at approximately 13:00 UTC, two Diamond DA40-D aircraft, registrations G-MAFT and G-RKAI, were conducting local VFR training flights in the vicinity of Huesca/Pirineos Airport (LEHC), within the Zaragoza TMA.
The aircraft G-MAFT, occupied by an instructor and a student pilot, had recently climbed from 4,400 ft to 5,800 ft and leveled off at 5,500 ft on a heading of 046°. Simultaneously, the second aircraft, G-RKAI, which was being operated by a student pilot on a solo flight, had climbed from 4,600 ft to 5 and was leveling off at 5,500 ft on a heading of 117°.
Radar data and crew testimonies indicate that the flight paths of the two aircraft converged. At the moment of the incident, the horizontal separation was approximately 0 NM, with a vertical separation of roughly 50 ft. The instructor in G-MAFT observed the other aircraft passing just above the left wingtip, while the student in G-RKAI noticed an object passing below the right wing. Both crews performed evasive maneuvers, with G-MAFT descending and turning slightly left after the crossing.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined radar tracks, crew statements, and the operational procedures of the Airways Aviation Academy. The investigation noted that the incident occurred outside the Huesca Aerodrome Flight Information Zone (FIZ) and outside the operational hours of the local AFIS service.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft configurations, noting that both aircraft were low-wing models. The investigation also reviewed the school's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which emphasize the importance of environmental scanning and radio communications for reporting positions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a lack of adherence to VFR communication and surveillance procedures by the crews of both aircraft, alongside deficient monitoring of the surrounding airspace.
- The converging geometry of the flight paths and the relative seating positions of the occupants contributed to the difficulty in maintaining visual separation.
- The climb maneuvers performed by both aircraft immediately prior to the level flight crossing likely degraded the crews' ability to monitor the surrounding environment.
- There was a lack of sufficient radio communication between the two aircraft to provide updated position reports.
Safety action
- REC 07/20: It is recommended that the Airways Aviation Academy reinforce the importance of environmental surveillance and the use of communications to report updated positions for all students and instructors.