Incident Overview
On May 10, 2017, at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA), an Embraer E175 aircraft, while taxiing to its parking position, experienced a taxiway incursion by a ground handling vehicle. The incident occurred when a Follow-Me coordinator, responsible for guiding the aircraft, activated the emergency stop function because the vehicle blocked the taxi path.
Sequence of Events
During the taxi phase, a ground handling agent's vehicle drove into the path of the moving aircraft. The Follow-Me coordinator, observing the situation, immediately pressed the emergency stop button to prevent a potential collision. After the vehicle moved away, the aircraft continued its taxi safely and reached its designated parking stand without further incident.
Cause
According to the investigation, the cause of the incident was the ground handling vehicle operator's failure to adhere to operational procedures. The specific procedural deviation was not detailed in the source, but the non-compliance directly led to the hazardous situation.
Investigation and Recommendations
The investigation was led by Grzegorz Dańko, with no formal investigation team appointed. The final report was issued on September 5, 2017. No safety recommendations were made by the commission, as the incident did not result in injuries or damage, and the cause was attributed to individual operator error.
Aftermath
The aircraft and its occupants were unharmed. The incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to ground handling procedures, particularly in the vicinity of active taxiways. The airport and operator were expected to reinforce procedural compliance among ground staff to prevent similar occurrences.