Incident Overview
On July 21, 2019, around 13:14 JST, an Airbus A321-231 (HL8256) operated by Asiana Airlines Inc. taxied onto Runway 18 at Naha Airport without ATC clearance. At the same time, a Boeing 737-800 (JA01RK) operated by Japan Transocean Air Co., Ltd. was on final approach with landing clearance. The B737 executed a go-around upon seeing the A321 enter the runway.
Flight Crew Actions
The A321 pilots, a Captain (PF) and First Officer (PM), had completed pushback from Spot 44R and were taxiing to Taxiway E1. After the APU shut down, they delayed departure for five minutes. The Tower issued instructions to hold short of Runway 18 and revised altitude restrictions. The Captain mistakenly perceived the instruction as "LINE UP AND WAIT." The FO, having resumed take-off procedures, was adjusting the FMS and did not monitor outside the cockpit. The crew did not cross-check the clearance as per their manual.
ATC and Other Aircraft
The Tower had issued landing clearance to the B737 at about 13:13:29. The A321 entered the runway at about 13:13:59, when the B737 was approximately 1.8 nm from the threshold at 600 ft altitude. The Tower noticed the incursion and instructed the B737 to go-around at 13:14:04. The A321 was then told to stop. The Runway Entrance Lights activated.
Communication and Aftermath
After reading back the Tower's instruction, the FO questioned entering the runway. The Captain confirmed with the Tower, which clarified it was a "HOLD SHORT" instruction. The Captain apologized. Subsequently, the Tower issued take-off clearance to the A321. The B737 landed after a radar-vectored approach.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries to persons were reported. Both aircraft sustained no damage.
Personnel Information
The A321 Captain had 6,178 total flight hours, with 4,561 hours on type. The First Officer had 504 total hours, with 200 on type. The B737 Captain and FO details were not specified in the source.