27/10: Pilot disorientation: GA aircraft in BRU CTR

[teddybAIR]

Hi All,

Here's what I just witnessed and wanted your opinion about:

About ten minutes ago (14:21LT) I was driving on the Haachtsesteenweg and was just about to come near Melsbroek in the direction of Haacht when all of a sudden I spotted a high wing Single Engine Propeller aircraft (my best guess is that it was a C72) in white markings with a little orange trimming approaching EBBR at very low altitude. I estimate that it was flying at maximum 500 to 700ft AGL. It was about to cross the Haachtsesteenweg and fly over our national airport when it suddenly initiated a left steep turn. The bank angle clearly exceeded 45° and judging by the little time it took the pilot to make a 180°, I'm guessing he was performing at least a rate 2 turn (the complete 180 was performed in less than 30 seconds). Furthermore, while performing his turn, I had the impression he was loosing some altitude.

Although I had the impression that the PIC had the aircraft under control at all times, I'm wondering whether he was aware that he was approaching EBBR very fast. Judging from the bank angle and low altitude, I'm guessing he was attempting to avoid overflying EBBR at the very last minute. Given his low altitude I was only able to spot him for another few seconds when he was outbound and heading back in the direction of Vilvoorde. I live near the 25R threshold and didn't see him coming in at EBBR, neither?

Could it be that this was an aircraft that was actually navigating to Grimbergen, but got disoriented and almost overflew EBBR? I sure hope so, because it is not justified that one would perform steep turns at such low altitudes.

[fcw]

Did you have a look at your own speed?
It might have been the police in their Cessna with a speedgun!

[teddybAIR]

That's a possibility, but I had to watch the road as well, so I cannot confirm whether it was a cessna of the police. I didn't even know they still have them.

And as to my speed: Let's just say he would have stalled if he would have slowed down to my (ground)speed

[jan_olieslagers]

Could it be that this was an aircraft that was actually navigating to Grimbergen, but got disoriented and almost overflew EBBR? I sure hope so, because it is not justified that one would perform steep turns at such low altitudes.

That would indicate VERY bad navigation really, I do hope it wasn't the case. EBGB procedures require ATZ entry by way of LONDI waypoint on the A12 motorway, which means a southeasterly course towards EBBR instead of southwesterly like I understand from your story.

The very dangerous manoeuvre you describe does seem to imply the PIC came to a sudden realisation something was wrong, either from her/his own observation or someone warned her/him over the radio, and acted promptly on it.

I do not think there will ever be a formal inquiry into this incident, the facts seem not so serious; and without an official inquiry we will never know what happened. Or this pilot should be such a fool as to publicly announce the bravery!

[matsATC]

wasn't it the P68 OOTJK?

If the answer is 'yes', then I wouldn't worry too much. This is the regular NATO pipeline inspection flight. Pilot has to come close to the runway and makes a sharp turn to stay clear.

[Nevihta]

Indeed, TJK is orange and white, and is based in BRU.

[jan_olieslagers]

Let us just trust the o/p's eyesight: he mentioned a SINGLE ENGINE high wing. And I know for certain his eyesight has been thoroughly checked!

[matsATC]

Ok, I'll try this one then:

OO-GMX is used for the inspections from time to time. This one is based in EBCI if I remember correctly...

[bravomike]

Jan I am not doubting his eyesight, I am just trying to find out if it wasn't by any chance the ootjk..
which, if you are driving a car and the aircraft is banking hard, a high wing single engine "might" look like the p68. It is also the "standard" behaviour of the TJK...

so I am not doubting anyone

[teddybAIR]

Hi again,

I wouldn't be to surprised if it turned out to be a C182 of the air component of our police. The airframe had a silhouette which resembled the C182 a lot. It would sure reassure me.

Regards,
bAIR

[bravomike]

edited...

I wasn't there, so it was only a guess