Incident Overview
On 7 March 2017 at 14:34 LMT, a crew from the LPR Warsaw Okęcie base conducted a HEMS flight under VFR in VMC conditions. The helicopter, an EC 135 P2+, flew from Warsaw Okęcie (EPWA) to Kraków (EPKK), then to Kraków Prokocim hospital (landing site H329), and then to the Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka in Warsaw (landing site H622), before returning to EPWA. The mission was completed without any remarks.
Sequence of Events
After transferring the patient at Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka at 14:18 LMT, the crew departed for their base at Okęcie. Contacting EPWA Tower over point November, they received clearance to enter the controlled traffic zone and to approach via points Oskar-Echo, with landing clearance on runway 33 at taxiway S2. Subsequently, the pilot received clearance from EPWA Tower to continue taxiing via taxiway S2 and then taxiway Z4 towards the military section of EPWA. Using a second radio set, the pilot established contact with the Military Air Traffic Coordination Service, informing them of the taxi and requesting further instructions. The pilot was cleared to taxiway Z4, where a 'Follow Me' vehicle was waiting to escort the crew to the parking position. The pilot then informed EPWA Tower that taxi was complete and provided the same information to the military coordination service.
Findings
Investigation revealed that the taxi from taxiway S2 to taxiway Z4 was conducted without the assistance of a 'Follow Me' vehicle, which was required by NOTAM 0479/17. This NOTAM mandated that taxi on specified taxiways be performed only with Follow Me assistance.
Safety Actions
Following the incident, the operator discussed the event with all LPR operational staff. No safety recommendations were issued by the State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Comment
Reconstructed radio communications indicated that the pilot executed the taxi in accordance with the clearance received from EPWA Tower. Additionally, during the taxi, the pilot received confirmation from the Okęcie Ground controller to continue taxiing. The subsequent taxi from taxiway Z4 to the parking position was conducted with Follow Me assistance.