Factual Information
On October 20, 2007, a serious incident occurred at Kansai International Airport involving two Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The first aircraft, registered CFMWP and operated by Air Canada, was scheduled as flight 036 to Vancouver International Airport. It had 216 persons on board: a captain, nine crewmembers, and 206 passengers. The second aircraft, registered JA8236 and operated by Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd., was scheduled as flight 2576 from Naha Airport. It carried 243 persons: a captain, seven crewmembers, and 235 passengers.
Sequence of Events
At approximately 18:00 JST, Air Canada flight 036 began taxiing from Spot 15 toward Runway 24L. At 18:00:49, the Ground Controller instructed it to taxi via Taxiways E2 and P. Meanwhile, Japan Airlines flight 2576 was approaching Kansai on an IFR flight plan from Naha, with an estimated elapsed time of 1 hour 26 minutes.
At 18:04:58, the Ground Controller instructed Air Canada to contact the Tower. At 18:05:35, the Tower instructed Japan Airlines to reduce speed if feasible, adding "Expect one departure." At 18:08:36, the Tower asked Air Canada if it was ready for departure; the crew replied affirmatively. At 18:08:43, the Tower told Air Canada to "Hold short of runway 24L." However, shortly after, at 18:08:54, the Tower issued landing clearance to Japan Airlines and reported wind conditions and a preceding landing rollout.
At around 18:09:30, Air Canada entered the runway. At about 18:10:05, it stopped aligned on Runway 24L. At 18:10:07, Japan Airlines confirmed its landing clearance, and the Tower affirmed. At 18:10:36, with Japan Airlines about 2.3 nautical miles from the threshold, the Tower instructed it to execute a go-around. The crew complied, descending to 730 feet before climbing. At 18:11:21, the Tower instructed Air Canada to clear the active runway, which it did via Taxiway A3.
ATC Communications
Communication records show that at 18:08:43, the Tower told Air Canada "Hold short of runway 24L," to which the crew replied "To position 24L." The crew interpreted this as a line-up clearance. Shortly after, the Tower issued a landing clearance to Japan Airlines. When Japan Airlines queried its clearance, the Tower reaffirmed and then issued the go-around instruction.
Flight Crew Statements
According to the captain of Air Canada, the crew believed they received unconditional clearance to line up and wait. The first officer stated that the Tower asked if they were fully ready, and they replied affirmatively, after which the Tower cleared them "to position 24L." Both crew members reported no ambiguities regarding clearances. The go-around was executed without incident, and the Air Canada flight subsequently departed after vacating and repositioning.
Outcome
No injuries were reported, and neither aircraft sustained damage. The incident was classified as a serious incident under Japanese regulations, specifically an "Attempted landing to an engaged runway."