What happened
On March 20, 2016, a ground incident occurred on taxiway M2 at Warsaw Chopin Airport involving an Embraer 190 (E190) and a "FOLLOW ME" vehicle. Following a standard pushback and engine start procedure, the aircraft crew received taxi instructions to proceed via taxiways M, E, and M2 toward runway 29. Due to another aircraft being pushed back from stand 23, the Tower controller requested the "FOLLOW ME" vehicle to guide the E190 through stand 40 to taxiway A.
As the aircraft began taxiing at 15:41 UTC, the "FOLLOW ME" vehicle, which was traveling south, performed a sudden maneuver. The vehicle swerved left toward the taxiway axis, then right, positioning itself directly in front of the moving aircraft before turning toward stand 40. This abrupt movement forced the flight crew to perform a sudden stop to avoid a collision. After clarifying the situation with the Tower controller, the crew continued taxiing behind the vehicle.
The investigation
The investigation utilized CCTV footage and radio communications between the Ground controller, the Tower controller, the aircraft crew, and the vehicle driver. The analysis established that while the pushback was completed without issue, there was a delay in the transmission of the updated taxi instructions because the Tower controller was communicating with another crew.
Investigators determined that the driver of the "FOLLOW ME" vehicle likely increased speed and maneuvered aggressively to ensure they remained within the aircraft crew's line of sight before the aircraft passed the turn-off for stand 40. The driver was reportedly unaware that the maneuver had placed the vehicle dangerously close to the aircraft until the crew reported the incident to the Tower.
Findings
- The primary cause was a human factor involving the driver's attempt to execute the controller's instructions before the aircraft passed the junction.
- The vehicle performed the maneuver at an excessive speed and in too close proximity to the aircraft.
- High radio traffic density contributed to delays in the delivery and receipt of critical instructions.
Safety action
CCTV and radio communication recordings from the incident are to be utilized in training programs for ground movement coordinators, specifically focusing on the impact of human factors in airport operations.