Incident Overview
On 26 September 2009, a British Airways Boeing 777-236, registration G-VIIR, was involved in a serious incident at Robert L Bradshaw International Airport, St Kitts, West Indies. The aircraft was operating a scheduled return service from VC Bird International Airport, Antigua. The flight from Antigua to St Kitts was uneventful.
Flight History
After arrival at St Kitts, the aircraft was parked at an angle to the terminal to allow self-manoeuvre, as no pushback tug was available. The crew, who had not previously operated to St Kitts, planned the return sector on the flight deck. They calculated takeoff performance data for both the full length of Runway 07 and from Intersection Alpha. The crew received taxi clearance to Intersection Alpha but taxied to Intersection Bravo instead, believing they were at Alpha. Intersection Bravo on Runway 07 was not an authorised takeoff intersection for the Boeing 777. The estimated takeoff run available from Intersection Bravo was approximately 1220 m, which was 695 m less than the planned takeoff run from Intersection Alpha.
Contributory Factors
The investigation identified the following contributory factors: 1. The airport authority had not installed any taxiway or holding point signs on the airfield. 2. The crew did not brief the taxi routing. 3. The crew misidentified Taxiway Bravo for Taxiway Alpha and departed from Intersection Bravo. 4. The trainee air traffic control officer did not inform the flight crew that they were at Intersection Bravo.
Safety Recommendations
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch made three safety recommendations as a result of this investigation.
Other Information
The aircraft was a Boeing 777-236, operated by British Airways. The crew consisted of a commander and a co-pilot, both with no prior experience operating to St Kitts. The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority has oversight for the airport.