What happened
On October 24, 2017, a Boeing 737-800, registration EI-FZG, operated by Ryanair, was performing a scheduled flight from Dublin (EIDW) to Modlin Airport (EPMO). Upon approaching the airport, the crew received landing clearance for runway 08 and instructions to vacate the runway via taxiway DK C. The crew acknowledged the instruction using only their callsign.
Following the landing, the Modlin Tower controller issued instructions to backtrack and vacate the runway via taxiway DK C. However, the crew reported that they were unable to comply with this instruction because they had already exited the runway via taxiway DK B. The aircraft was positioned such that it was partially on the runway and partially on taxiway DK B. The controller subsequently ordered the aircraft to stop at its current position, noting that taxiways DK B and A1 were closed to jet aircraft.
After coordination between the tower controller, ground services, and the flight crew, the aircraft was pushed back onto the runway and then taxied under its own power to exit the runway via taxiway DK C.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of movements following the landing and the communication between the flight crew and the tower controller. The investigation examined the status of the airport taxiways and the information available to the crew regarding taxiway closures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was that the crew was unaware of a recent NOTAM change regarding the closure of specific taxiways at Modlin Airport.
- Atmospheric conditions at the time of the event had no impact on the occurrence.