Occurrence
On 24 September 2014, a rabies vaccine drop operation for foxes was organized from Depułtycze Królewskie Airport (EPCD) in southeastern Poland. Several aircraft, including two Cessna 172s, were involved in the planned flights. Due to military airspace activity, the organizer had coordinated directly with the airspace user for permission to operate near the reserved TSA 4 A,B,G zones. The agreed conditions included a maximum altitude of 1500 feet above ground level and a time window from 06:00 to 10:30.
As the scheduled time expired, the Warsaw Flight Information Service (FIS) attempted to contact the crews via radio and telephone to urge them to vacate the reserved areas. However, radio communication was hindered by the low altitude of the flights, and radar tracking was also difficult or impossible. Despite coordination between the organizer, FIS, and Dęblin Approach, at least two Cessna 172 aircraft violated the active TSA 4 A,B,G zones. According to a report from the air navigation service provider, there was also an unauthorized entry into the controlled airspace of TMA EPLB.
Probable Cause
The investigation found that the organizer of the flights did not adhere to the detailed arrangements for conducting flights in airspace adjacent to the reserved TSA zones. The radio communication with some crews was difficult and of poor quality due to weak radio station coverage at low altitudes. Additionally, there was a lack of continuous radar control of aircraft operating in that region at that altitude.
Preventive Actions
In response, the air navigation service provider took several measures: improved radar coverage at low altitudes in the Warsaw FIR, enhanced radio coverage at low altitudes, considered developing a brochure or instructions for users planning organized flight operations to provide full information on airspace rules, and briefed FIS personnel on the findings of the investigation.
No safety recommendations were issued by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation.