What happened
During a period of heavy rainfall at night, an aviation security patrol vehicle entered the active runway at Dunedin International Airport. The incident occurred as an aircraft had just completed its landing roll. The driver of the vehicle, an aviation security officer, entered the runway while attempting to conduct a perimeter fence inspection. Because the heavy rain had flooded the dirt perimeter roads and nearby grassed areas, the officer intended to use the runway surface to facilitate the check.
A collision was narrowly avoided because the driver maintained the vehicle on the runway shoulder and brought the patrol car to a stop shortly after entering the active area. At the time of the incursion, the driver was unaware that an aircraft had recently landed, and the flight crew was unaware that a vehicle had entered the runway. Had the vehicle moved into the path of the aircraft, the pilots would have been unable to take evasive action.
The investigation
TAIC investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the vehicle's entry onto the runway and the visibility conditions at the time. The investigation established that the driver's primary motivation was to bypass flooded airfield access roads. The inquiry also looked into the level of awareness among security personnel regarding runway lighting and the protocols governing airfield access when air traffic control services are not active.
Findings
- The driver lacked an understanding of the significance of active runway lighting as an indicator of aircraft movement.
- Local procedures for aviation security officers were inadequate for ensuring safe runway access during hours when air traffic control is not in service.
- Inadequate local procedures for airfield access outside of ATC service hours contributed to the risk of the incursion.