Incident Overview
On 4 September 2022, a Cessna 150 G (registration D-ECNI) piloted by a private pilot license holder with a passenger on board departed from EPBC airport. After passing the VFR point ZULU, the pilot contacted FIS Olsztyn. The flight initially proceeded normally, though turbulence began and the pilot's attention may have been focused on maintaining the planned route.
Flight Route and Airspace
The intended route was northward, avoiding CTR EPMO and the TRA45 zone, which the pilot knew to be active. TRA45 was active from ground level to 2,000 ft AMSL, protecting parachute operations originating from Chrcynno airfield (EPNC) using two Cessna 208 aircraft. Above TRA45, jumps occurred in designated CHRCYNNO AREA areas within TMA Warsaw.
Encounter with TRA45
As the Cessna 150 approached TRA45, a Cessna 208 at 4,000 ft AMSL heading 280° had dropped parachutists intended to land at EPNC. The parachutists descended to approximately 2,300 ft AMSL while the Cessna 150 was flying at about 1,000 ft AMSL west of their planned landing area. The pilot stated he did not see the parachutists, who assessed the aircraft as too close. The pilot believed he had bypassed the jump area to the west.
Data from FlightAware showed the Cessna 150's horizontal distance from EPNC was about 800 m. The aircraft flew approximately 7 km within TRA45, penetrating about 1.5 km deep. FIS Olsztyn did not inform the pilot of TRA45 activity and did not track the aircraft during the transit.
Cause
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined the cause of the airspace incursion was improper visual navigation in flight with visibility.