What happened
On 29 January 2024, a NetJets, Transportes Aereos S.A. Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000, registration CS-GLY, arrived at Dubai International Airport (OMDB) following a ferry flight from London Biggin Hill. After landing on runway 30L, the crew began taxiing toward their parking stand, which required crossing runway 30R.
During the taxi sequence, the flight crew received a conditional clearance to cross the runway. However, as the CS-GLY proceeded across the threshold, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Airbus A330-343, registration HZ-AQ14, commenced its takeoff roll on the same runway. The two aircraft reached a minimum separation of approximately 1,330 meters at the moment the departing aircraft lifted off while the crossing jet was at the edge of the runway.
The investigation
The UAE Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) examined the communications and ground movement systems at Dubai International. The investigation focused on the air traffic controller's instructions, the status of airfield lighting, and the crew's response to the taxiway environment. Investigators reviewed cockpit voice recordings and analyzed the timing of stop bar activations and the specific wording used in the conditional clearance provided to the NetJets crew.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the use of non-standard phraseology by the Tower controller. This improper wording led the flight crew to believe the conditional clearance referred to an aircraft taxiing ahead of them, rather than the departing traffic.
- The flight crew failed to seek clarification from Air Traffic Control despite noticing that taxiway lights and runway guidance lights were extinguished beyond the stop bars.
- The aircraft was not yet on the Tower frequency when the controller issued the takeoff clearance to the departing HZ-AQ14, leaving the crew unaware of the imminent departure.
- Improper management of the stop bars at taxiway Mike 2 resulted in the lights being activated nearly simultaneously with the crossing, preventing the crew from noticing the change in signal.
- Night-time lighting conditions and intense airfield illumination contributed to the difficulty in maintaining situational awareness.
Safety action
Following the incident, the AAIS issued several recommendations to Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), including the need to reinforce standard phraseology, adhere to revised stop bar procedures, and study automated stop bar activation systems. The investigation also recommended enhanced night-time airfield familiarization training for controllers. NetJets was advised to evaluate the effectiveness of its safety notices regarding runway incursion prevention.