Casualties unknown

Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 aborted takeoff at Warsaw Chopin Airport (A6-FMC)

Warszawa (EPWA), PL

On November 11, 2021, a BOEING, 737-800 (registration A6-FMC) operated by Pilot samolotowy ATPL(A) was involved in an aviation accident near Warszawa (EPWA), PL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The most probable cause of the unauthorized takeoff was a partial loss of situational awareness by the aircraft crew. A contributing factor was confirmation bias among the crew. This summary draws on records from the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards
BOEING, 737-800 photo
Photo via hexdb.io

On 11 November 2021, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, A6-FMC, began a takeoff roll on runway 29 at Warsaw Chopin Airport without clearance. The crew aborted at 89 kt after ATC issued an urgent stop instruction.

Incident Overview On 11 November 2021, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration A6-FMC, operating as flight FDB1830, was involved in an incident at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The aircraft was prepared for a flight to Dubai International Airport (OMBD). ## Sequence of Events The aircraft was de-iced on stand 13 before the crew reported ready to taxi at 22:03:18 local mean time. Tower control instructed the crew to taxi left via taxiway L to the holding point before runway 29. While the aircraft was approaching the holding point, the controller issued an instruction to enter runway 29 and hold. The crew read back the instruction correctly. At 22:05:36, while entering runway 29, the crew asked for confirmation of the post-takeoff frequency of 128.805 MHz, which the controller confirmed. During this time, approach control asked the tower controller whether FDB1830 was taking off; the tower controller replied that it was not, because another aircraft was landing. A Boeing 737-800, callsign LOT2MP, was on final approach to runway 33 and had been given landing clearance. Another aircraft was approaching the holding point before runway 29, and the tower controller issued it a conditional clearance to enter runway 29 behind FDB1830. At 22:06:12, the FDB1830 crew began the takeoff roll. At 22:06:23, the tower controller used urgent phraseology to order the crew to stop immediately. The crew acknowledged the instruction. The takeoff was aborted at a speed of 89 kt, and the aircraft stopped on runway 29 approximately 250 m from the intersection with runway 33. ## Aftermath and Investigation The LOT2MP crew confirmed the validity of its landing clearance with the tower and continued its approach. The tower controller later told the FDB1830 crew that it had been instructed to enter runway 29 and hold. The FDB1830 crew responded that it had read back a clearance to enter runway 29 and take off. The tower controller thanked the crew for stopping the aircraft. The investigation was conducted by the State Commission for Investigation of Aviation Accidents (PKBWL), with Grzegorz Pietraszkiewicz as the investigation lead. The investigation was completed on 21 November 2022. No injuries were reported among the 160 people on board. The investigation did not result in safety recommendations.

Probable cause

The most probable cause of the unauthorized takeoff was a partial loss of situational awareness by the aircraft crew. A contributing factor was confirmation bias among the crew.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2021-4567/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.