Incident Overview
On 20 January 2006 at 2107 hrs UTC, an ATR 42-300 (registration G-TAWE) operated a public transport passenger flight from Glasgow Prestwick Airport. During the takeoff from Runway 31, the commander inadvertently aligned the aircraft with the left runway edge lights instead of the runway centreline. The flight crew aborted the takeoff after hearing loud bumps from beneath the aircraft. A post-incident inspection revealed damage to the nose gear uplock and five runway edge lights. There were no injuries to the three crew members or 34 passengers.
Sequence of Events
While taxiing for departure, the commander received clearance to enter Runway 31 via either holding point 'R1' or 'Q'. He chose 'Q' and positioned the aircraft just left of what he believed was the runway centreline. The first officer commented that the perspective did not appear correct, so the commander taxied further left until the aircraft was aligned exactly over lights. Both crew members then agreed they were on the centreline and commenced the takeoff. Almost immediately, they heard increasing bumps from beneath the aircraft and aborted the takeoff. The commander realized he might have lined up on the left edge lights and requested permission to return to the stand. He later informed air traffic control that the aircraft may have struck some lights. ATC subsequently confirmed five edge lights were damaged.
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the incident, the surface wind was 300° at 12 kt, visibility was greater than 10 km, and cloud was few at 1,200 ft and scattered at 2,800 ft. Rain showers had been reported before and after the incident; the commander noted a heavy rain shower as he lined up on the runway. Runway 31 has a declared width of 46 m but a hard surface extending 23 m from each edge, making it 92 m wide. The UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) contained a warning about the possibility of mistaking the raised runway edge lights for the flush-mounted centreline lights, especially in poor visibility and at night.
Contributing Factors
The commander assessed that the incident would have been avoided if he had followed the taxiway centreline lights from holding point 'R1' instead of 'Q'. He also considered that the heavy rain shower distorted his vision. The use of 'Q' was a contributing factor because it has no centreline lights leading to the runway. Following this incident, ATC prohibited the use of 'Q' for entering the runway at night or in poor visibility.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained a bent nose gear uplock. Five runway edge lights were damaged. No injuries were reported. The incident was reported by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form and by Glasgow Prestwick Airport.