History of the Flight
On 11 December 2021, a Robin DR400-160 registered F-BUSE and a Piper PA28 registered F-GCQE were involved in a serious incident at Lyon-Bron Airport. The DR400, operated by Aéroclub du Grand Lyon, was on a local flight with a pilot and a passenger. The PA28, operated by AVNIR Aviation, was conducting a local instructional flight with a student pilot and an instructor.
At 15:29, the DR400 pilot reported being at the end of the downwind leg for runway 34. The controller informed him that he was number two behind the PA28 and asked him to call back on final. The PA28 was already on final. Visibility was 10 km with scattered clouds at 2,700 ft and broken clouds at 3,500 ft. Wind was from 360° at 12 kt.
At 15:29:26, the DR400 pilot reported turning onto the base leg. At 15:30:04, the controller asked if he had sight of the aircraft on final and noted that he had turned a little short. The pilot replied that he did not see it. At 15:30:11, the controller instructed a go-around, which the pilot initiated four seconds later.
At 15:30:17, the instructor on the PA28 reported that the DR400 had narrowly missed them by about 10 m. The PA28 continued its approach and performed a touch-and-go, then completed a circuit. The DR400 flew a circuit and landed at 15:37.
Aircraft and Personnel
The DR400 pilot, aged 58, held a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes) with 385 flight hours, including 280 as pilot-in-command and 5 hours in the previous three months, all on the DR400. The PA28 instructor held a Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes) with approximately 550 hours, including 200 hours of instruction.
Air Traffic Control Environment
Lyon-Bron Airport is a controlled airport in class D airspace. The control tower has a clear view of the circuit. In class D, ATC does not provide separation for VFR flights; they provide traffic information and avoidance advice on request. VFR pilots must ensure separation using the see-and-avoid principle.
Pilot Statements
The DR400 pilot stated he followed controller instructions, joined the downwind leg after overflying the tower, configured for landing, and turned onto base with a 20-30° bank. He said he did not see the PA28 at any time and believed the controller would ensure separation. He thought the go-around was because the preceding aircraft had not cleared the runway.
The PA28 instructor stated he knew there was a number two aircraft behind him but did not try to see it as it was supposed to stay behind. He saw the DR400 on his right, ending its turn and becoming parallel, slightly ahead and higher, at the moment the controller ordered the go-around. He estimated the separation as 10 m and took over control.
Controller Statement
The controller stated he visually detected the DR400 turning onto base on a converging path with the PA28 on final. He immediately asked if the DR400 pilot had sight of the traffic, and upon receiving a negative response, instructed a go-around using standard phraseology with a calm, firm tone.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the DR400 pilot turned onto base and continued onto final without sight of the aircraft already on final, placing them on a converging path. The controller's visual monitoring and timely go-around instruction resolved the conflict. Contributing factors included the DR400 pilot not visually searching for the preceding aircraft and a lack of understanding of ATC services in class D airspace. The controller's appropriate actions helped avoid a collision.