What happened
On January 6, 2007, at 08:08 local time, a serious runway incursion occurred at Düsseldorf Airport involving two commercial aircraft. An Embraer 145, arriving from Milan-Malpenda with 20 passengers and three crew members, had landed on runway 23R and exited the runway via taxiway B. The crew received instructions from the tower to hold short of runway 23L, an instruction which the co-pilot correctly acknowledged.
Simultaneously, a BAe 146 was cleared for takeoff on runway 23L. As the Embraer 145 was crossing the runway, the BAe 146 began its takeoff roll. The captain of the Embraer 145 observed the departing aircraft, and the air traffic controller noted that the BAe 146 flew over the Embraer 145 at an altitude of approximately 50 feet. There were no fatalities and no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined radio communications and the sequence of movements on the airfield. Analysis of the cockpit communications revealed that during the takeoff roll, the crew of the BAe 146 sought clarification regarding their takeoff clearance and specifically asked if another aircraft was on the runway. In response, the controller immediately addressed the Embraer 145 crew, reminding them of the instruction to hold short of runway 23L. The crew of the Emlarer 145 apologized, citing a misunderstanding within their cockpit.