What happened
On May 29, 2015, an air traffic controller at the EPRA military aerodrome radar station observed a Cessna 206 appearing on the radar display within the TRA 05A time-reserved airspace. The aircraft was operating on a flight path between Wąchock and Szydłowiec. The presence of the aircraft in this specific zone constituted an unauthorized entry, as the area was actively being used for military flight operations.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized entry into the restricted zone. The PKBWL established that the aircraft entered the TRA 05A airspace without receiving the necessary clearance from air traffic control services. The investigation focused on the flight planning and the crew's awareness of the active airspace status during their transit.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the crew's inadequate preparation regarding information about the activity of flexible airspace elements along the planned flight route.
- The pilot failed to obtain the required authorization from air traffic control services prior to entering the active TRA 05A zone.