What happened
On September 19, 2022, at approximately 15:57 local time, a near mid-air collision occurred at the Casarrubios del Monte aerodrome in Toledo, Spain. The incident involved two aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for flight training purposes.
A Tecnam P2008 JC, registration EC-NJG, operated by WorldAviation, was being flown solo by a student pilot. The pilot had departed from Cuatro Vientos airport and was performing a training flight. During the approach to Casarrubios del Monte, the student pilot erroneously selected a radio frequency—specifically the backup frequency for Cuatro Vientos—instead of the correct frequency for the Casarrubios del Monte aerodrome. Believing they were alone in the traffic pattern because no response was received on the incorrectly selected frequency, the student pilot proceeded to fly the circuit, eventually deciding to land on runway 08.
Simultaneously, a Cessna 172S, registration EC-KVX, operated by European Flyers, was performing takeoff and landing practice on the opposite runway, runway 26. The crew, consisting of a flight instructor and a student pilot, was at an altitude of approximately 100 to 200 feet above the ground when they observed the Tecnam P2008 JC positioned just below their wingtip.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the radio communications and the flight operations of both aircraft. Investigators reviewed recordings from the Cuatro Vientos tower, which confirmed that no communications were received from the EC-NJG during the period in question. The investigation also analyzed the student pilot's actions regarding frequency selection and visual scanning.
It was established that the student pilot had selected the wrong frequency at the start of the approach. While the student pilot claimed to have visually searched for traffic and found none, the investigation noted that the lack of radio contact was the primary reason the crew of the Cessna 172S was unaware of the approaching aircraft.
Findings
- The student pilot failed to verify that the correct aerodrome frequency had been selected.
- There was a lack of adherence to visual flight rules, specifically regarding the failure to check the selected frequency and a deficiency in external visual surveillance.
- The flight instructor in the Cessna 172S performed an effective evasive maneuver by accelerating the climb to increase separation.
- The student pilot in the Tecnam P2008 JC did not perform an evasive maneuver upon seeing the other aircraft, continuing the turn to final and landing safely.
- No injuries were reported for the occupants of either aircraft, and no damage was sustained by either airframe.