What happened
On June 9, 2019, at 14:05 LMT, a pilot operating a PZL Miele 18 Dromader, registration SP-FOK, departed from its base at Toruń Airport (EPTO). The intended mission was to fly to Nakle (Oskar point) to assist with a fire. The flight plan included transit through the Bydgoszcz (EPBY) controlled airspace, for which the pilot had obtained prior authorization from Bydgoszcz Approach (KRL).
While transiting over the Bydgoszcz airport area, the pilot deviated from the approved flight path without authorization. During this unauthorized deviation, the pilot executed a water drop in the vicinity of a festival located near an old military tower. Immediately following the drop, the pilot performed a sharp, sudden right turn toward a glider, registration SP3234, which was positioned in the right circuit of runway 29. Following these maneuvers, the pilot notified air traffic control of the intention to return to Toruń.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the pilot's actions within the Bydgoszcz controlled airspace. The investigation established that the pilot failed to adhere to the instructions provided by Bydgoszcz Approach and operated outside the parameters of the granted clearance. The commission examined the sequence of the flight path deviation, the unauthorized water release, and the subsequent aggressive maneuvering near other aircraft in the vicinity of the aerodrome.