Casualties unknown

Robinson R44 Helicopter Incurs Controlled Airspace at Warsaw Chopin Airport

CTR EPWA, PL

On August 10, 2014, a Robinson R44 was involved in an aviation accident near CTR EPWA, PL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Unauthorized entry into controlled airspace. This summary draws on records from the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

A Robinson R44 helicopter entered the controlled airspace of Warsaw Chopin Airport without authorization on 10 August 2014. The intrusion was detected by radar at 600-700 ft with transponder squawk 7000. No threat to other traffic was posed.

Incident

On 10 August 2014, a Robinson R44 helicopter operated under visual flight rules (VFR) violated the controlled airspace (CTR) of Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The air traffic controller noticed a radar echo in the northwestern part of the CTR, approximately 7-8 nautical miles from the airport. The target displayed a transponder code of 7000 and was observed at altitudes of 600 and then 700 feet. The incursion did not pose a risk to other air traffic.

Investigation

The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) classified the event as an incident and assigned it for investigation by the helicopter operator. By the conclusion of the investigation on 4 August 2015, the PKBWL had not received any information regarding actions taken by the operator to determine the cause. The supervising investigator from the Commission attempted without success to contact the operator.

Cause

The PKBWL determined the cause of the incident to be an unauthorized entry into controlled airspace.

Probable cause

Unauthorized entry into controlled airspace

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2014-1349/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.