What happened
On April 28, 2018, a student pilot was conducting a flight following a route from EPDE to EPRA, then to Magnuszew, Stoczek Łukowski, and returning to EPDE. While flying at an altitude of 1,400 ft after exiting the EPRA CTR and heading toward Stoczek Łukowski via Magnuszew, the pilot entered the active EA 003 airspace zone.
Upon receiving instructions from FIS Warszawa, the pilot initiated a climb to 2,500 ft to transit the active zone (which extends from ground level to 2,000 ft AMSL) safely. Although the pilot was aware of the existence of the EA 003 zone, the unauthorized entry occurred during the flight sequence.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's preparation and execution of the flight plan. It was established that the EA 003 zone is not published on standard aeronautical charts but is instead communicated via NOTAMs. The investigation examined the pilot's flight planning process and the timing of the altitude change required to avoid the restricted area.
Findings
- The pilot failed to precisely mark the EA 003 zone on their flight map.
- The pilot made the decision to begin the climb too late to avoid the active airspace zone.