What happened
On the evening of October 20, 2007, a runway incursion occurred at Kansai International Airport involving two Boeing 767-300 aircraft. An Air Canada flight, CFMWP, was taxiing toward Runway 24L for departure. During the taxi process, the crew received instructions to position the aircraft on the runway. While the aircraft was lining up on the active runway, an arriving Japan Airlines International flight, JA8236, was on its final approach.
As the Air Canada aircraft occupied the runway, the air traffic controller issued a landing clearance to the Japan Airlines flight. However, the presence of the taxiing aircraft on the runway became apparent to the arriving crew. After the Japan Airlines pilots confirmed their landing clearance and noted the aircraft on the runway, the tower controller instructed the Japan Airlines crew to execute a go-around. The Air Canada aircraft subsequently vacated the runway via Taxiway A3 to clear the active surface.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined air traffic control communication records, radar tracking data, and the digital flight data recorder from the Japan Airlines aircraft. The investigation also included interviews with the flight crews of both involved aircraft and the air traffic controllers on duty. The investigators focused on the sequence of clearances provided by the tower and the movement of the aircraft relative to the runway holding positions.
Findings
- The Air Canada crew believed they had received an unconditional clearance to line up and wait on the runway.
- The Japan Airlines crew observed lights on the runway during their descent, which prompted them to verify their landing clearance with the tower.
- The Air Canada aircraft entered the active runway after receiving clearance to position itself, which directly led to the conflict with the arriving traffic.
- There were no lighted stop bars at the holding point to prevent the unauthorized runway entry.
- No injuries or damage to either aircraft were reported during the incident.