Incident Overview
On 22 June 2015, at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA), an Embraer 170 aircraft was taxiing on taxiway ZB2 to parking position 4 when a fuel tanker, driven by a ground handling agent employee, drove onto the taxiway from a service road, crossing the aircraft's path. The tanker driver failed to yield the right-of-way to the taxiing aircraft, forcing the flight crew to reduce speed to avoid a collision. No abrupt braking was required. No passengers or crew members sustained injuries.
Investigation
The investigation was supervised by Edward Łojek and conducted by the airport operator. No investigation team was appointed. The analysis of surveillance footage showed that the tanker was moving parallel to the taxiing aircraft and then crossed in front of it without stopping. The driver failed to exercise due care and violated safety regulations as described in the airport's Vehicle and Pedestrian Movement Instructions (INOP-IRPP).
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was the driver's failure to exercise due care and violation of safety rules by not giving way to the taxiing aircraft, causing a reduction in its taxi speed, which constituted a breach of the INOP-IRPP regulations.
Corrective Actions Taken
The airport authority revoked the driver's vehicle permit and required him to undergo retraining and re-examination on the rules of vehicle and pedestrian movement at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Additionally, the incident was to be used in training for airport services, described in the airport safety bulletin, and discussed at a meeting of the airport safety committee. No safety recommendations were issued by the commission.