What happened
On 26 September 2009, a Boeing 777-236, registration G-VIIR, was preparing for a return flight from St Kitts to Antigua. The flight crew had calculated their takeoff performance based on departing from Intersection Alpha on Runway 07. However, due to a lack of taxiway markings and signage at the airport, the crew misidentified Taxiway Bravo as Taxiway Alpha.
During the taxi, the crew followed a centerline that led them to Holding Point Bravo. Although the commander noted that the runway appeared short upon lining up, the aircraft proceeded with the takeoff. The takeoff run available from Intersection Bravo was only 1,220 m, significantly less than the 1,915 m required for their planned departure. The aircraft managed to become airborne, but the end of the paved surface passed very close to the aircraft as it rotated. There were no injuries to the 87 passengers or the crew.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the lack of airfield infrastructure and human factors. It was established that the airport lacked essential taxiway and holding point signs, a deficiency that had been noted in a 2006 inspection but not resolved. The investigation also found that the crew had not briefed the taxi routing and were unfamiliar with the airfield.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the role of Air Traffic Control. A trainee controller noticed the aircraft was at the wrong position but did not challenge the crew's decision to depart from what they believed was Alpha. The investigation also noted that the operator had not performed a physical survey of the new destination prior to service.