Incident Overview
On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 2145 central standard time, an Embraer E145, registration N698CB, operated by American Airlines Group as flight ENY3084, was conducting a takeoff roll on runway 28R from intersection EE at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. Simultaneously, a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-700, registration N154GJ, operated by GoJet Airlines as flight GJS3710, was taxiing to runway 28R via taxiways F and N. GJS3710 did not turn left at taxiway N as instructed and instead entered runway 28R, making a left turn toward the departing ENY3084.
Aircraft and Flight Details
ENY3084 was a regularly scheduled flight from ORD to Port Columbus International Airport (CMH), Columbus, Ohio. GJS3710 was a regularly scheduled flight from ORD to Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Both flights operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No injuries were reported on either flight.
Sequence of Events
According to recorded Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) data, ENY3084 began departure roll at 2145:17. At that time, GJS3710 was about 265 feet north of the runway 28R edge line, taxiing south on Taxiway F at approximately 11 knots.
At 21:45:28, an ASDE-X alert was issued when ENY3084 met the velocity and acceleration parameters for departure. ENY3084 was traveling at approximately 56 knots and was approximately 1,041 feet from the runway 28R/taxiway F intersection. GJS3710 was on taxiway F approximately 42 feet from crossing the runway 28R edge line, traveling at approximately 11 knots.
At 21:45:30, ENY3084 was about 831 feet from the runway 28R/taxiway F intersection, traveling about 66 knots. GJS3710 entered runway 28R traveling at about 11 knots and turned east toward ENY3084 before coming to a stop on the north side of Runway 28R at taxiway F.
When GJS3710 entered the runway, an aural alert of "Warning Runway Two Eight Right Occupied" was voiced in the tower, and the corresponding alert text "RWY 28R|ENY3084, GJS3710|RWY OCCUPIED" was displayed on the ASDE-X displays.
Evasive Action and Separation
According to the flight crew of ENY3084, they were traveling at about 100 knots when they first observed GJS3710 enter the runway. They maneuvered the aircraft to the left of centerline to avoid a collision.
The pilot of GJS3710 reported that after realizing he had missed the turn to taxiway N and entered runway 28R, he made an immediate left turn and saw an Embraer 145 taking off. He stated he turned his aircraft to face the departing aircraft to present the lowest profile, keeping the tail section away from the runway centerline. He recalled that the centerline of his aircraft was on the north side of the painted runway edge, so only the right half of his aircraft was on the runway proper. He estimated the wingtip-to-wingtip clearance at 15–20 feet.
At 21:45:36, ENY3084 passed GJS3710 on runway 28R. The ASDE-X could not resolve the minimum separation distance; its positional accuracy is ±20 feet.
Aftermath
GJS3710 then exited runway 28R at taxiway P. The pilot of GJS3710 called his flight dispatcher and then the tower supervisor to discuss the event before continuing the flight to CMH.
The air traffic control front-line manager on duty stated that the ASDE-X alarmed, but there was insufficient time to cancel ENY3084's takeoff clearance. The distance between taxiways EE and F was approximately 1,900 feet.
Weather Information
The 2051 METAR for ORD reported wind 290 degrees true at 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots, visibility 10 statute miles. Few clouds at 3,800 feet AGL, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet AGL, and broken clouds at 15,000 feet AGL. Temperature minus 11°C, dew point minus 18°C, altimeter 29.88 inches of mercury.
Regulatory Context
FAA Joint Order 7110.65(V) addresses air traffic controller duty priority, stating first priority is separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts. Paragraph 2-10-3 outlines tower team position responsibilities, including ensuring separation and initiating control instructions.