What happened
On April 1, 2016, a Boeing H47 helicopter, operating under VFR flight rules, entered the controlled airspace (CTR) of Bydgoszcz-Szwederowo airport without permission. The aircraft was performing a flight from Szymany (EPSY) to Mirosławiec (EPMI) in accordance with its filed flight plan.
At approximately 09:04 UTC, the crew established contact with FIS Gdańsk, at which point they confirmed they would bypass the Bydgoszcz CTR. However, at 09:30 UTC, the Bydgoszcz tower controller observed the aircraft on radar approximately 6 NM southwest of the airport at an altitude of 1,400 ft AMSL. Simultaneously, the FIS Gdańsk informant reported that the aircraft was intended to avoid the CTR from the north and noted that air traffic services had lost communication with the crew. The aircraft continued on a northwest course, crossing the runway centerline 26/08 at a distance of about 10 NM from the threshold. The aircraft's transponder signal was later identified at 09:28 UTC near point EPBYS.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined radar data, communications between the crew and FIS Gdańsk, and reports from the tower controller and FIS informants. The investigation focused on the deviation from the intended flight path and the lack of communication regarding the airspace penetration.