Incident Overview
On September 10, 2013, at around 08:32 JST, a Bell 430 helicopter (JA06NR) operated by Aero Asahi Corporation entered runway 06R at Kansai International Airport despite having received an instruction to hold short of the runway from an air traffic controller. This action resulted in a Boeing 767-300 (JA605A) operated by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., which was on final approach with landing clearance, executing a go-around as instructed by the controller.
Sequence of Events
Prior to the incident, the helicopter had experienced a delay of approximately 40 minutes due to engine start issues. The pilot in command (PIC) of the helicopter, with two other occupants (an onboard mechanic and a camera staff), contacted the Ground controller for departure instructions at around 08:28. Although the PIC intended to request an intersection departure from taxiway A10, he did not do so initially. The Ground instructed him to taxi via taxiways J4 and P to the runway end, but the PIC's readbacks indicated confusion. The Ground repeated the instruction, and the PIC eventually acknowledged it.
During air taxiing, the PIC was concerned about the delay and the engine trouble, and he visually misjudged the distance of the arriving aircraft. He believed the nearest arrival was about seven to eight miles away, when in fact the Aircraft B was approximately three miles from the runway threshold. When the PIC neared taxiway A10, the Ground asked if he intended an intersection departure, and the PIC confirmed. The Ground then instructed him to hold short of the runway and contact the Tower controller. The PIC acknowledged but, while changing frequency and distracted by engine instruments, he crossed the runway holding position marking before establishing communication with the Tower. He realized the error but continued across the runway centerline.
Meanwhile, the Tower controller instructed the landing aircraft to go-around. The Aircraft B's pilots had already anticipated the go-around and did not feel endangered. The helicopter eventually halted on the runway centerline.
Personnel and Aircraft Information
The PIC of the helicopter was a 53-year-old male with a commercial pilot certificate and a type rating for Bell 222 (which also applies to Bell 430). He had a total flight time of 9,046 hours, with 582 hours on the Bell 430. The helicopter's airworthiness certificate was valid, and total flight time was 1,629 hours. The Aircraft B was a Boeing 767-300.
Meteorological Conditions
At 08:30, conditions were: wind 080° at 4 kt, visibility 25 km, few clouds at 2,500 ft, temperature 25°C, dew point 18°C, and QNH 29.94 inHg.
Additional Findings
The engine start anomaly experienced earlier was later inspected but no abnormality was found. The onboard mechanic had judged the issue to be limited to the starting phase, and no further malfunctions occurred during the flight to Yao Airport.
Analysis
The investigation determined that the PIC, preoccupied with immediate departure and engine concerns, was unable to pay proper attention. This led to: (1) proceeding to taxiway A10 without formally requesting intersection departure; (2) failing to correctly read back taxi instructions; (3) continuing air taxiing after being told to hold short; and (4) misjudging the distance of the arriving aircraft. It was considered likely that if the PIC had correctly identified the Aircraft B as only three miles out, he would not have entered the runway.