What happened
On May 8, 2015, a Cessna 172 was conducting a planned flight from Warsaw Babice (EPBC) to Kraków Balice (EPKK). During the en route phase, the flight was transferred from FIS Kraków to Kraków Approach (APP Kraków) control.
Upon establishing contact with the air traffic controller, the crew was instructed to turn left to a heading of 150 degrees. This instruction was issued to avoid the active EA 110 glider training zone, which had been reserved for the Polish National Glider Championships in accordance with Supplement 29/15 (ENR 5 AIP Poland). Despite the controller's intervention, the aircraft's flight path proceeded along the boundary of the restricted area without maintaining the required separation distance from the zone.
The investigation
The investigation examined the coordination between flight information services and air traffic control, as well as the flight planning procedures used by the crew. The inquiry focused on why the aircraft entered the restricted airspace despite the controller's attempt to redirect the flight and why the crew was not aware of the active airspace restrictions prior to the instruction.
Findings
- The primary cause of the airspace violation was inadequate preparation by the pilot regarding the active elements of the airspace along the planned route.
- The FIS Kraków information officer failed to provide the pilot with prior information regarding the specific airspace restrictions in effect for that flight.