What happened
On March 30, 2016, at 11:45 UTC, an Embraer E 170 was taxiing on taxiway M3 toward parking stand number 43 at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). During the maneuver, a Ford Transit service vehicle traveling on a service road drove directly between the aircraft and the Follow Me coordinator, who was providing visual signals to the flight crew.
This sudden intrusion into the aircraft's path prevented the crew from safely completing the turn to the assigned parking stand, necessitating an abrupt emergency stop of the aircraft. Once the vehicle had cleared the area, the crew was able to resume taxiing and proceed to their intended destination.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of ground vehicles and the adherence to airport safety protocols. The inquiry established that the incident was caused by the vehicle's failure to maintain a safe distance from the aircraft and its escort. The investigation also reviewed the operational procedures governing vehicle and pedestrian movement within the airport's movement area.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure to comply with established procedures outlined in the Warsaw Chopin Airport Vehicle and Pedestrian Movement Instructions.
- The movement of the Ford Transit created an immediate obstacle that compromised the safe taxiing of the aircraft.