What happened
On August 17, 2015, an EC3_0 helicopter was conducting a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight from Sobota, near Poznań, to Konstancin. During the transit, the Flight Information Service (FIS) Poznań observer detected the aircraft on radar at an altitude of 1,500 feet. The aircraft was positioned within the active maneuvering area (MATZ) of the Powidz (EPPW) military airfield.
Upon attempting to verify if the entry into the MATZ EPPW airspace had been authorized by the appropriate military air traffic control authority, the FIS Poznań informant found no record of coordination. The informant subsequently notified the Powidz Tower (TWR EPPW) that an uncoordinated aircraft was present in the airspace and that radio communication with the helicopter could not be established. The helicopter eventually exited the EPPW airspace without any conflict with other air traffic.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized airspace penetration. Following the event, the pilot contacted the Powidz Tower via telephone to explain the circumstances of the incident.
Findings
- The pilot's entry into the active military control zone was caused by a navigational error during the flight route.
- There was no immediate threat to other aircraft operating in the area during the incident.