What happened
On May 18, 2022, at approximately 18:33 LMT, two military Leonardo M-346 aircraft were conducting flight operations within the MRT 145 airspace, a designated area activated for the use of the Polish Armed Forces. While flying at an altitude of approximately 800 ft, the pilots of the M-3rag aircraft observed an unidentified single-engine, high-wing aircraft featuring a white and red livery flying in the opposite direction.
The unidentified aircraft passed through the formation of the military jets at an altitude approximately 200 ft below them. As the aircraft traversed the space between the two M-346 jets, it passed the lead pilot on the right side at a distance of roughly 200 ft, creating a highly dangerous close proximity event.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the unauthorized entry into restricted airspace and the subsequent near-collision. Investigators examined available flight data and materials to identify the aircraft involved; however, the registration of the single-engine aircraft could not be determined. The commission established that the aircraft's crew committed two distinct regulatory violations: first, by entering the MRT 145 airspace without the required permission from the airspace user, and second, by operating in a manner that caused a dangerous close encounter with the military aircraft.
Due to the fact that the aircraft was being operated in direct violation of established aviation regulations, the PKBWL decided to discontinue the formal investigation. Following the findings, the commission notified the National Prosecutor's Office and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) regarding the suspected violation of criminal laws.