What happened
On January 24, 2016, an incident occurred at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA) during the pushback of an Airbus 3ally 320. While the aircraft was being pushed from parking stand number 20, a ground vehicle convoy consisting of a tractor and mobile stairs entered the path of the moving aircraft. This maneuver forced the flight crew to perform an emergency stop to avoid a collision.
At the time of the interception, the pushback procedure was being conducted correctly. The aircraft had its anti-collision lights activated, and the tractor was operating with its warning lights visible.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of ground vehicles and adherence to airport traffic regulations. The PKBWL examined the sequence of the pushback and the actions of the vehicle operators relative to the established airport instructions for vehicle and pedestrian movement (INOP-IRPP) at Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary cause of the incident was the failure of the vehicle driver to maintain proper caution and a failure to comply with the specific airport instructions regarding the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The driver drove into the path of the aircraft during the advanced stage of the pushback maneuver.
Safety action
Following the investigation, several corrective measures were implemented:
- The driver involved was referred for retraining and a new examination regarding airport movement rules.
- The Airport Services Training Center was instructed to emphasize the obligation to yield priority to aircraft during all training sessions.
- Training materials and examinations for personnel seeking airport driving permits were modified to specifically highlight the hazards of cutting off taxiing, pushing, or towing aircraft.
- The incident and its causes were reviewed by the Warsaw Chopin Airport Safety Committee, which includes representatives from ground handling agents.