What happened
On July 8, 2018, a serious incident occurred at Anholt Airport (EKAT) involving two private aircraft, SE-KNC (a Piper PA28 140) and SE-GIK (a Piper PA28 180).
The pilot of SE-KNC arrived from Randers, performing a visual approach to runway 21. After landing, the pilot chose to taxi to the apron via the safety zone. During this taxiing maneuver, the right wing of the aircraft remained within the boundaries of runway 21.
Simultaneously, the pilot of SE-GIK, arriving from Varberg, Sweden, landed on runway 21. As the two aircraft passed each other on the ground, the horizontal separation between their wingtips was estimated to be only approximately 2 meters. The pilot of SE-GIK noted that the aircraft passed at high speed, while the pilot of SE-KNC had been utilizing the safety area for ground movement.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of both aircraft and the operational conditions at Anholt Airport. Investigators examined the taxiing path of SE-KNC and the landing sequence of SE-GIK.
Key elements reviewed included:
- The usability of the safety zones at EKAT, which, according to the VFR Flight Guide Denmark, were considered unusable due to uneven surfaces and loose sand.
- The possibility of runway offset, as the airport had permission to shift runways 03/21 by 10 meters to reduce wear.
- The effectiveness of radio communications between the two pilots during the sequence.
Findings
- The pilot of SE-KNC utilized the safety zone for taxiing, which placed the aircraft's right wing within the active runway limits.
- The use of the safety zone by SE-KNC likely influenced the mental decision-making of the pilot of SE-GIK, leading to the decision to land on an occupied runway.
- The lateral shift of the runway may have visually confused the pilot of SE-KNC regarding the boundaries of the active runway.
- Although radio communication was possible and active, it did not prevent the landing on the occupied runway.
- The landing on the occupied runway created a significant risk of collision.