What happened
On 27 March 2015, a Cessna Citation CJ2, registration D-ISJP, was conducting a positioning flight from Bournemouth to Blackpool. The flight was operated by two crew members, with the co-pilot undergoing line training. During the approach to Blackpool Airport, the crew began a right turn intended for the Blackpool NDB, but the aircraft instead tracked east toward the POL VOR.
While the crew believed they were preparing for a visual approach to Blackpool, they actually flew over Warton Aerodrome. Despite the commander reporting the field in sight and claiming to see both airfields, the aircraft''s track brought it directly toward Runway 25 at Warton. At one point, the aircraft was descending on final approach toward Warton while an Embraer 145 was backtracking the runway at that location.
Upon realizing the error, the co-pilot initiated a go-around. The aircraft was subsequently redirected by air traffic control and successfully completed a visual approach and landing on Runway 28 at Blackpool.
The investigation
The investigation examined radar data from three separate radar heads, ground-based radio recordings, and telephone communications between Warton and Blackpool air traffic controllers. The investigators also reviewed flight crew reports and aircraft data.
Investigators identified several missed opportunities to correct the flight path. The investigation noted that the initial confusion likely stemmed from a lack of standard radiotelephony discipline. Specifically, the commander failed to properly read back clearances, and the controllers did not challenge incomplete or incorrect readbacks. Furthermore, while Warton ATC alerted Blackpool ATC to the aircraft's position and offered radar vectoring, the offer was not utilized.
Findings
- The primary cause was a lack of standard radiotelephony discipline, which allowed an initial misunderstanding regarding the aircraft's heading to persist.
- Incomplete readbacks by the commander and the failure of controllers to challenge them exacerbated the loss of situational awareness.
- The crew's belief that they were visual with both airfields was incorrect, as the co-pilot noted they were not actually visual with either airfield.
- The presence of other traffic at Warton may have inadvertently reinforced the crew's mistaken belief that they were at the correct airfield.