Incident Overview
On 30 May 2014, an Embraer 170 operating at Zurich Airport (LSZH) experienced an incident after landing on runway 14. The aircraft vacated the runway via high-speed exit H2 and proceeded onto taxiway H. The crew subsequently contacted ground control on frequency 121.9 MHz instead of the correct Apron North frequency of 121.85 MHz. This error was attributed to the first officer's mistake during a period of high cockpit workload.
Taxiway Holding Point Transgression
In response to the delayed radio contact, air traffic control activated the red intermediate taxiway holding point light bar on taxiway H. The flight crew did not notice the illuminated red lights. The report noted that the lights likely became illuminated only a short distance ahead of the aircraft, and bright sunlight may have reduced visibility. Additionally, the crew was engaged in radio communication with the ground controller at the time. The aircraft was taxiing at a low speed—approximately 20 knots after vacating the runway, reduced to about 10 knots—and there was no other ground traffic in the vicinity. No stop command was issued by air traffic control, and the crew was not hailed on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz.
Context and Contributing Information
Zurich Airport features crossing runways, which increases the risk of runway incursions. As a safety measure, the airport employs intermediate taxiway holding point light bars, a system not documented in the Jeppesen navigation charts used by the operator. The required frequency for Apron North is indicated on Jeppesen charts 10-1P3 and 10-9, as well as in NOTAM and ATIS broadcasts.
Stated Cause
The official report determined the cause of the incident to be human error: the incorrect selection of radio frequency for contacting air traffic control after landing.
Preventive Actions Taken by the Operator
The operator disseminated information about the incident through its safety bulletin, reminding pilots of a Zurich Airport training video on runway incursion prevention (available at http://www.zurich-airport.com/business-and-partners/safety-and-security/runway-safety-en/). The incident material was incorporated into the pilot recurrent training program for the winter 2014/2015 period. An in-flight safety inspection was conducted on 25 September 2014, and the involved crew confirmed they had reviewed the runway incursion prevention video.