Runway Incursion at Dubai International Involving Airbus A320 and Boeing 777

Casualties unknown • Dubai International Airport, AE

An Airbus A320 taxiing at Dubai International Airport entered a runway holding area, nearly colliding with a departing Boeing 777.

What happened

On March 20, 2012, a runway incursion occurred at Dubai International Airport involving two aircraft. An Airbus A320-214, registration VQ-BDJ, operated by Ural Airlines, had recently landed on runway 12L after a flight from Krasnodar, Russia. Following landing, the crew was instructed by Air Traffic Control to vacate the runway via taxiway M9 and subsequently turn left onto taxi and taxiway Mike.

While the aircraft was decelerating, a Boeing 777, registration A6-EBN, was cleared for takeoff from the parallel runway, 12R. Instead of following the directed path, the A320-214 continued straight, entering taxiway M11. The aircraft crossed the lighted stop bar for runway 12R/30L and came to a halt. During this time, the departing 777 continued its takeoff roll. Ground movement radar data indicated that the closest distance between the nose of the arriving aircraft and the wingtip of the departing aircraft was approximately 61.6 meters.

The investigation — what GCAA AAIS examined and established

The GCAA AAIS investigation examined the flight paths of both aircraft, communications between the crews and Air Traffic Control, and the functionality of airport infrastructure. The investigation confirmed that the stop bar lighting at the intersection of taxiway M11 and runway 12R was functioning correctly. Accuracy checks performed on the ground movement radar also verified that the position of the stop bar was accurately represented on the controller's display. No damage was sustained by either aircraft, and there were no injuries to the passengers or crew members involved in the incident.

Probable cause

The aircraft failed to follow the assigned taxi route, resulting in the crossing of a runway stop bar and the unauthorized entry into the protected area of an active runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-03-19 Airbus 320-214 accident near Dubai International Airport, AE?

An Airbus A320 taxiing at Dubai International Airport entered a runway holding area, nearly colliding with a departing Boeing 777.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-03-19 involved a Airbus 320-214, registration VQ-BDJ, at Dubai International Airport, AE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft failed to follow the assigned taxi route, resulting in the crossing of a runway stop bar and the unauthorized entry into the protected area of an active runway.

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