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Serious Incident Involving Boeing 737-86N G-XLAG at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport, GB

On July 16, 2003, a Boeing 737-86N (registration G-XLAG) was involved in an aviation accident near Manchester Airport, GB. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew were not provided with information that the runway was reduced in length; the flight crew misinterpreted the ATC instruction to enter the runway from holding point AG; the ATC controller did not ensure the flight crew understood the… This summary draws on records from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Sourcesthe UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered G-XLAG
Aircraft registered G-XLAG. Photo: Ken Fielding / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 16 July 2003, a Boeing 737-86N took off from a reduced-length runway at Manchester Airport without the crew's knowledge, passing within 56 ft of a vehicle. The incident was reported seven days later.

History of the Flight

On 16 July 2003, a Boeing 737-86N aircraft, registration G-XLAG, operated by Excel Airways Limited, was preparing for a flight from Manchester Airport to Kos, Greece. The aircraft carried seven crew and 190 passengers. Runway 06 Left (06L) was in use, but the flight crew were unaware that the runway was being operated at a reduced length due to work-in-progress to remove rubber deposits at the far end. The runway is built over a slight rise, making the far end invisible from the threshold.

Sequence of Events

Due to a difference in interpretation of information passed between Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the flight crew, the aircraft entered the runway from holding point AG rather than the expected holding point A. The takeoff was conducted using a reduced thrust setting calculated for the assumed normal runway length. As the aircraft passed the crest of the runway, the flight crew became aware of vehicles at its far end. However, being close to rotation speed, they continued the takeoff. The aircraft passed within 56 ft of a 14 ft high vehicle.

Notification and Subsequent Incidents

The serious incident was notified to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) at 1724 hrs on 23 July 2003, seven days after it had occurred. The investigation revealed further incidents during the course of the rubber removal work. Most notably, on the night of 15 July 2003, ATC instructed three commercial passenger aircraft to go-around after positioning them to land on the reduced-length runway.

Causal Factors

The investigation identified several causal factors: 1) The flight crew were not provided with information that the runway was reduced in length. 2) The flight crew misinterpreted the ATC instruction to enter the runway from holding point AG. 3) The ATC controller did not ensure the flight crew understood the instruction and did not monitor the aircraft's position on the runway. 4) The airport operator's planning and dissemination of NOTAMs were inadequate. 5) ATC procedures for reduced runway operations were not robust. 6) The airline's operational planning did not account for the temporary reduction in runway length.

Damage and Injuries

The aircraft sustained no damage, and there were no injuries to persons.

Probable cause

The flight crew were not provided with information that the runway was reduced in length; the flight crew misinterpreted the ATC instruction to enter the runway from holding point AG; the ATC controller did not ensure the flight crew understood the instruction and did not monitor the aircraft's position on the runway.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jul 2003 Boeing 737-86N accident near Manchester Airport, GB?

On 16 July 2003, a Boeing 737-86N took off from a reduced-length runway at Manchester Airport without the crew's knowledge, passing within 56 ft of a vehicle. The incident was reported seven days later.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jul 2003 involved a Boeing 737-86N, registration G-XLAG, at Manchester Airport, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew were not provided with information that the runway was reduced in length; the flight crew misinterpreted the ATC instruction to enter the runway from holding point AG; the ATC controller did not ensure the flight crew understood the instruction and did not monitor the aircraft's position on the runway.

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