Introduction
On 3 May 2017, an incident occurred at Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (EPGD) involving a Beechcraft B-58 Baron, registration SP-MED, operated by IBEX-UL. The event was classified as an incident by the Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Incident Description
At 16:45 UTC, prior to departure, the pilot of SP-MED received taxi instructions from apron 1 via taxiway L to taxiway A, with an instruction to hold short of taxiway N. The pilot did not enter taxiway L and instead began taxiing through parking stands, a prohibited action. The aerodrome control tower instructed the pilot to stop, and a Follow Me vehicle guided the aircraft to taxiway A.
At the same time, a Boeing 737-800 (registration EI-FRN, flight RYR3098) was being pushed back from stand 20. The crew of the Boeing received taxi instructions via taxiways M, N, A, and H to holding point 11, as number 1 for departure. While the Boeing was still on taxiway M, the controller observed that SP-MED was moving rapidly and requested its pilot to report the position. After the question was repeated, the pilot of SP-MED switched communication to Polish and stated that he was at the end of the apron, which did not accurately describe his location on taxiway A. It was evident that the aircraft had passed the intersection of taxiways A and N, beyond the hold short point.
The controller then revised the taxi instructions for the Boeing, ordering it to hold short of taxiway A. The controller asked the pilot of SP-MED if he could turn around on the taxiway and return to taxiway A6. The pilot confirmed and executed the turn. Once SP-MED was on A6, the controller allowed the Boeing to continue taxiing to taxiway H. Subsequently, SP-MED turned and also taxied to taxiway H as number 2 for departure.
Cause
The Commission determined that the cause of the incident was the pilot of SP-MED failing to comply with taxiing procedures.
Additional Information
The report noted no contributing circumstances and no safety recommendations were issued.