Incident Details
On March 9, 2015, at EPLB airport, a W-3 Sokół helicopter took off from a grass strip adjacent to the airport, near the Świdnik aircraft plant, without obtaining clearance from air traffic control. At the time, a Cessna 172 was conducting a training flight within the EPLB control zone (CTR). The air traffic controller noticed the helicopter's presence and informed the Cessna 172 crew of its position, then issued an instruction for the Cessna to depart to the ROTIT navigation point.
Cause
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the incident occurred due to a misunderstanding between the helicopter commander and the factory flight organizer regarding the actions necessary for prior coordination of the flight operation with air traffic control services.
Aftermath
The PKBWL did not issue any safety recommendations following the investigation.