Near-collision at Quebec City Airport avoided by pilot alertness

Casualties unknown • and, CA

A Dash 8 aircraft was cleared to land while a Fokker 28 remained on the runway, narrowly avoiding a collision during low-visibility conditions.

What happened

During a period of heavy fog at Quebec City Airport, a potential runway incursion occurred involving three aircraft. The weather conditions featured ceilings of only 200 feet and visibility of 2,600 feet, making the runway 06 threshold invisible from the control tower. At the time, a Beechcraft 1900 (Bizex 954) was taxiing slowly on the runway toward taxiway Alpha, as the crew was unfamiliar with the airport layout. Simultaneously, a Fokker 28 (ICN 1668) was holding on the runway, prepared for departure.

As the Beechcraft 1900 was slow to vacate the runway, a controller trainee attempted to adjust the traffic sequence. The trainee instructed the Fokker 28 to exit the runway via taxiway Golf; however, because another aircraft occupied that taxiway, the Fokker 28 crew instead moved toward taxiway Hotel, which was located 1,600 feet from the runway threshold.

While a Dash 8 (AAQ125) was on short final for landing, the controller trainee cleared the aircraft for arrival. At approximately 100 feet above ground level, the pilot-in-command of the Dash 8 observed the navigation lights of the Fokker 28, which was still occupying the runway near the touchdown point. The pilot immediately executed a missed approach, flying over the stationary aircraft and preventing a collision.

The investigation

Investigators examined the actions of the three controllers on duty, including a controller-instructor and a trainee. Because ground radar was unavailable, the controllers relied on RAMP radar screens to monitor the Dash 8, but they could not visually monitor the runway due to the fog.

The investigation focused on the trainee's decision-making process. The original plan was to allow the Beech and 1900 to clear, followed by the Fokker 28 takeoff, and finally the Dash 8 landing. The unexpected delay caused by the Beechcraft 1900 forced a change in plan. While the Fokker 28 crew communicated their intention to move to taxiway Hotel, the trainee failed to correctly process this information, leading to the erroneous landing clearance.

Findings

  • The controller trainee cleared the Dash 8 to land while the Fokker 28 was still on the runway.
  • The trainee failed to correctly visualize the maneuver the Fokker 28 crew was performing.
  • The controllers' attention was primarily focused on the progress of the Beechcraft 1900.
  • Reduced visibility and fog prevented the visual monitoring of runway 06.
  • The slow movement of the Beechcraft 1900 disrupted the established sequence of operations.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the incident was the controller trainee's failure to correctly process information, resulting in the clearance of the Dash 8 to land while the Fokker 28 remained on the runway. Contributing factors included poor visibility and the controllers' preoccupation with the movement of the Beechcraft 1900.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-12-06 Air Alliance DeHavilland DHC-8-102 C-FGRY accident near and, CA?

A Dash 8 aircraft was cleared to land while a Fokker 28 remained on the runway, narrowly avoiding a collision during low-visibility conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-12-06 involved a Air Alliance DeHavilland DHC-8-102 C-FGRY, operated by Between, at and, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the incident was the controller trainee's failure to correctly process information, resulting in the clearance of the Dash 8 to land while the Fokker 28 remained on the runway. Contributing factors included poor visibility and the controllers' preoccupation with the movement of the Beechcraft 1900.

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