What happened
On February 4, 2014, a student pilot was conducting a series of solo navigation flights in a Cessna 172, registration OK-TUR. The final leg of the flight was from LKTB to LKLT. Prior to departure, the pilot had been advised by an instructor regarding developing cloud cover and the necessity of maintaining ground visibility to remain within VFR conditions.
After departing LKTB, the pilot utilized visual reference to the D1 motorway for navigation. While flying over the hilly terrain of the Vysočina region, the aircraft entered cloud cover, resulting in a sudden loss of visual reference. At 15:12 UTC, the pilot established contact with Kbely Tower (TWR LKKB) to report that they were lost and tracking a heading of 136°.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) provided the pilot with their position, updated altimeter settings, and recommended a heading of 300° to remain below the cloud base. However, the pilot struggled to maintain the recommended parameters, performing a 3/60-degree turn and frequently deviating from the assigned heading and altitude. During the encounter, the aircraft periodically disappeared from radar coverage and radio contact, likely due to flying at altitudes too low for radar detection in the hilly terrain. After several periods of lost communication, the pilot eventually stabilized the flight, followed ATC instructions, and landed safely at LKLT at 16:01 UTC.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation utilized radar records from AČR, synchronized radio communications, and statements from the pilot, the flight instructor, and the training organization. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records and legal requirements regarding radio operator certification.
Findings
- The pilot entered meteorological conditions unsuitable for VFR flight and failed to follow established procedures for loss of orientation.
- The pilot was not sufficiently prepared for the flight and had not practiced procedures for encountering IMC.
- The pilot failed to declare an emergency (such as 'MAYDAY' or 'PAN-PAN') and used non-standard phraseology.
- The pilot struggled with aircraft control, specifically maintaining assigned headings and altitudes.
- The pilot was flying without a valid radio operator certificate, which constituted a violation of local law and rendered them unqualified to conduct solo flights in the FIR.
- The training organization failed to ensure the student's solo flight training complied with legal requirements regarding radio certification.
Safety action
- The Civil Aviation Authority (ÚCL) is to conduct an audit of the training organization, focusing on compliance with regulations regarding radio operator certification.