Incident Overview
On January 8, 2022, at approximately 14:53 JST, a serious incident occurred at Kagoshima Airport involving two aircraft: a Cessna 172P, registration JA4061, operated by New Japan Aviation Co., Ltd., and an ATR 42-500, registration JA04JC, operated by Japan Air Commuter Co., Ltd. The Cessna entered Runway 34 without air traffic control clearance while the ATR was on final approach with landing clearance. The incident is classified as a serious incident under Article 166-4, Item (ii) of the Ordinance for Enforcement of Civil Aeronautics Act.
Sequence of Events
The Cessna, flown by a student pilot (Trainee A) with a flight instructor (Captain A) initially, had conducted several touch-and-goes and a go-around before returning to the apron. After Captain A certified the trainee's skills and disembarked, Trainee A began a solo flight. The Cessna communicated with ground control at 14:46 and proceeded to Taxiway T1. At 14:48:36, the trainee contacted the tower controller and reported not ready for take-off. The controller instructed to hold short of Runway 34 and report when ready. At 14:49:20, the trainee reported ready and stopped short of the runway holding point. The controller instructed to continue holding due to arriving traffic. However, the trainee misinterpreted the instruction and started moving toward the runway around 14:49:36. The controller immediately issued a negative instruction, and the Cessna stopped again.
At 14:50:09, the ATR established communication with the tower while on approach. The controller cleared the ATR to land at 14:51:18, adding traffic information about a preceding aircraft. The trainee was not listening to this communication. Around 14:51:37, the preceding aircraft passed in front of the holding Cessna. Believing the controller might not recognize its readiness, the trainee again reported ready for take-off at 14:52:23. The controller, noting the trainee's apparent lack of situational awareness, provided only traffic information at 14:52:28 and instructed to hold short and stand by at 14:52:39. The trainee read back only "stand by departure" and omitted the hold short instruction. The controller then required a readback of the hold short instruction per provisions. At 14:52:56, the trainee read back "hold short of instruction" but simultaneously began moving slowly toward the runway, as foot brake pressure had slacked. The trainee misconstrued the controller's intent and did not recognize the ATR on final approach. The controller, seeing the Cessna stopped at the holding point, shifted attention elsewhere. The ATR continued its approach and landed without incident.
Aircraft and Crew
Aircraft A (Cessna 172P, JA4061) was operated by New Japan Aviation Co., Ltd. The pilot was a student pilot (Trainee A) on a solo flight for rating change. Aircraft B (ATR 42-500, JA04JC) was operated by Japan Air Commuter Co., Ltd., with a captain (Captain B) and first officer (FO B). Air traffic controllers included Tower D and Tower C, who relieved Tower D around 14:51, receiving a warning about the Cessna.
Investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board investigated, using statements, voice recordings, flight data recorder data, radar tracks, and video footage. The incident was classified as a serious incident due to an attempt of landing on a runway being used by other aircraft.