Incident Overview
On the first flight of the day, the flight crew of aircraft LQJ had approximately 45 minutes to complete all pre-flight preparations before the scheduled departure time of 0645. During this period, the captain and first officer encountered several unanticipated events and distractions, including an APU failure and paperwork related to a person in custody. These interruptions required additional actions to be performed within the allocated timeframe, adding workload and time pressures.
Errors and Omissions
The combination of increased workload and time pressures likely resulted in the flight crew’s omission of two ‘before start’ checklist items and the selection of an incorrect frequency in VHF COM 2. The frequency selection error was compounded by the flight crew not recognising an absence of AFRU reply when making radio calls on the incorrect frequency. As a result, the captain and FO were not aware that they were monitoring and broadcasting on the incorrect CTAF.
Additionally, the flight crew inadvertently omitted the TCAS/transponder selection, leading them to incorrectly believe that the TCAS would alert them to the presence of any transponder-equipped aircraft operating near Gladstone Airport.
Consequences
Due to the frequency selection and TCAS/transponder errors, the flight crew’s situational awareness was significantly degraded. The captain and FO formed the shared belief that no other traffic was operating in the vicinity of Gladstone Airport. This shared incorrect mental model likely impacted the efficacy of their visual scan as they neared the A5 intersection. Consequently, neither flight crew member identified the approaching aircraft, and LQJ was taxied onto the runway in front of Faeta 8279. The instructor on board Faeta 8279 conducted a go-around to avoid an incident on the occupied runway.
Probable Cause
The combination of increased workload and time pressures likely resulted in the flight crew’s omission of the two ‘before start’ checklist items and the selection of the incorrect frequency in VHF COM 2.