Event Description
On March 30, 2016, at 11:45 UTC, an Embraer E170 was taxiing on taxiway M3 to parking stand 43 at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). During the turn into the parking stand, a Ford Transit vehicle traveling on a service road drove between the aircraft and the Follow Me coordinator, who was providing signals to the flight crew. The movement of the vehicle prevented the safe completion of the taxiing maneuver, forcing the flight crew to stop the aircraft abruptly. After the vehicle moved away, the crew continued taxiing to the designated parking stand.
Circumstances
The weather conditions on the day of the event had no influence on its occurrence. The driver of the Ford Transit vehicle was subsequently identified.
Cause
The cause of the incident was non-compliance with the procedures described in the Vehicle and Pedestrian Movement Instruction at Chopin Airport in Warsaw.
Preventive Actions
The operator of the aircraft initiated several preventive actions. The driver's permit to operate vehicles on the airport grounds was suspended. The importance of adhering to safety rules on the Movement Area was reminded during a meeting of the Chopin Airport Safety Committee. Additionally, a letter was sent to airport users emphasizing the need to comply with the Vehicle and Pedestrian Movement Instruction, specifically regarding the prohibition of occupying or crossing the path between a parking stand and a Follow Me vehicle providing signals, and the requirement to exercise special caution in and near safety lines.