What happened
On March 9, 2020, an ultralight KR-030 Topaz, registration SP-SGEO, was conducting a photogrammetry mission within the Kraków (EPKK) controlled airspace (TMA). The flight was operating on the eastern side of the EPR14 restricted area, following a pre-filed flight plan.
During the mission, air traffic control (ATC) issued instructions to the pilot to maintain a westward heading for approximately 90 seconds after the completion of the eighth flight line. Later, after the tenth line was completed, the controller again instructed the pilot to maintain a westward course to ensure separation from another aircraft performing a standard arrival procedure (STAR) for runway 2楽し25 at EPKK.
Expecting the westward heading to be brief, as in previous instances, the pilot found the duration of the instruction exceeded their expectation. As the aircraft approached the boundary of the EPR14 zone (Ojców National Park), the pilot notified the controller of the lack of authorization to enter the restricted area and requested guidance. The controller instructed the pilot to climb to 5,000 ft to clear the zone. However, while climbing, the pilot executed a turn to the north without ATC authorization to fly parallel to the boundary. Despite being instructed by the controller to maintain the westward heading, the aircraft subsequently entered the EPR14 restricted airspace.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequence, the communications between the pilot and ATC, and the operational requirements of the photogrammetry mission. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making regarding the unauthorized maneuver and the coordination between the mission operator and air traffic services.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the change in flight direction within controlled airspace without controller authorization.
- A contributing factor was the incomplete coordination of flight conditions with ATC services prior to the commencement of the photogrammetry mission.
- The controller's instructions were necessitated by the need to maintain separation between the mission aircraft and an arriving flight.
Safety action
- The incident has been incorporated into training materials to serve as a case study on the necessity of precise coordination for specialized missions and the importance of anticipating potential conflicts during photogrammetry projects.