What happened
On July 22, 2016, at approximately 13:02 UTC, an airprox incident occurred at Lausanne-La Blécherette Airport (LSGL). A Cirrus SR22, registration G-OOUK, was performing an approach to runway 36. The aircraft had been operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from Dole-Tavaux and had recently transitioned to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for the final approach. Simultaneously, a Cessna Turbo Centurion T2 .210N, registration HB-CZN, was departing from runway 18.
The two aircraft passed each other with a horizontal separation of approximately 200 meters and a vertical separation of only 30 meters. While the encounter was close, no immediate evasive maneuvers were required because the safety pilot aboard the HB-CZN identified the approaching aircraft early and adjusted the climb trajectory westward.
The investigation
The investigation examined the radio communications, flight trajectories, and the operational procedures at the uncontrolled airfield. Investigators found that the pilot of the G-OOUK was required to maintain contact with Geneva Approach due to the IFR nature of the flight. This obligation made it difficult to follow the standard procedure of making an initial call to the Lausanne traffic information frequency five minutes before arrival. Consequently, the pilot's call to the Lausanne frequency occurred later than recommended.
Furthermore, the investigation noted that while the Lausanne frequency broadcasts information in both English and French, the specific announcement regarding the runway in use was made only in French. The pilot of the G-OOUK, a British national, did not understand French.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the loss of separation:
- The pilot of the G-OOUK made his initial call to the Lausanne frequency later than the recommended five-minute window, reducing his situational awareness of local traffic.
- The use of two different languages on the frequency prevented the pilot of the G-OOUK from understanding that the HB-CZN was departing from the opposite runway.
- The pilot of the G-OOUK was unable to comprehend the French-language announcement regarding the active runway.
- Neither aircraft was equipped with a Traffic Advisory System (TAS).