Incident
On 7 February 2002 at 11:20 UTC, Air France flight AF1025, an Airbus A320 (registration F-GFKU), began a takeoff from taxiway U1 at Lisbon Airport (LPPT). The aircraft was operating a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Lisbon to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The crew discontinued the takeoff after being alerted by the air traffic controller, and no injuries or aircraft damage occurred.
Flight History
The flight had 72 persons on board: 65 passengers and 7 crew members. The captain had recorded seven landings at Lisbon Airport, and the first officer had recorded two landings. Weather conditions at the time included clear skies, good visibility, and light wind from the northwest (METAR: LPPT 071100Z 32007KT 290V350 9999 FEW010 BKN014 BKN200 15/14 Q1030). Departures and arrivals were using runway 03.
At 11:12:03, the captain contacted the tower (TWR) reporting taxiing on taxiway M to the holding position for runway 03. At 11:12:14, the tower cleared AF1025 to line up and wait on runway 03. The captain acknowledged at 11:12:17. At 11:12:41, the tower issued takeoff clearance for runway 03. The first officer (pilot flying) acknowledged at 11:12:49 while the captain was finishing a passenger welcome announcement. The tower confirmed the clearance at 11:12:57, and the first officer acknowledged again at 11:13:02.
The aircraft aligned on taxiway U1, parallel to the active runway, and takeoff power was applied. The aircraft began its takeoff roll on the taxiway. At 11:13:56, the tower informed AF1025 that it was taking off on the taxiway. The flight crew rejected the takeoff without further incident. The aircraft had accelerated to about 90 knots and traveled approximately 800 meters. The captain accepted the error. After brake cooling, AF1025 subsequently took off from runway 03 and continued to its destination.
Established Facts
- Runway and taxiway markings met ICAO Annex XIV requirements. Runway 03 had a width of 45 meters with white dashed lines 90 cm wide. Taxiway U1 had a width of 23 meters with continuous yellow lines 15 cm wide.
- NOTAMs active at the time indicated construction works near runway 03, including embankment works between taxiways U1, M2, and aprons Foxtrot and Juliet, and grass cutting along strips near taxiways. The commander reported that the ATIS did not emphasize the presence of multiple red barriers at the entrance of runway 03 visible from taxiway M2, and that ground control did not reference those barriers. He also noted confusion due to aeronautical charts not showing certain markings (CAT III stop bar) and a long list of works that did not match the day's NOTAMs.
- The commander stated that the takeoff clearance was given well in advance while the aircraft was taxiing on M2, and again while aligning on U1, confirmed by the first officer while the captain was finishing the passenger announcement. He also noted that ATC could not see the aircraft's position due to the tower's location relative to the beginning of runway 03. The commander's attention was divided by the passenger announcement.
Outcome
The incident was reported to the GPIAA (Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves). An investigation was initiated in 2002 but was never completed because the assigned investigator left the service. The incident was debated and clarified among the involved parties and their representative structures. No recurrences or similar situations were recorded at Lisbon Airport. In 2009, the investigator proposed closure of the file, which was approved by the Deputy Director of GPIAA.