Vehicle Incursion on Runway at Berlin-Schönefeld

Casualties unknown • Berlin-Schönefeld, DE

A passenger flight was interrupted during takeoff at Berlin-Schönefeld when a vehicle entered the active runway at high speed.

What happened

On July 31, 2007, at 11:29 local time, a Boeing B737-800 operated by a German airline was performing a takeoff roll on runway 25L at Berlin-Schönefeld, bound for Nuremberg. The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and seven crew members.

As the aircraft accelerated through a speed of 120 to 130 knots, the crew observed a passenger vehicle traveling perpendicularly across the runway from a southern direction. The vehicle was moving at approximately 100 km/h. At the moment the incursion was detected, the aircraft had already exceeded its $V_1$ decision speed. Despite the high speed, the takeoff was continued, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop approximately 50 meters before the runway.

The investigation

The BFU investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the runway incursion. At the time of the event, construction work was being conducted on taxiways in the vicinity of runway 07R/25L. Due to these works, operational procedures dictated that flight activities should primarily utilize runway 07L/25R, with the longer 07R/25L runway used only when necessary.

Coordination for these construction activities involved daily meetings at 05:30 involving air traffic control, airport authorities, and construction companies. For the day of the incident, it had been decided during the morning meeting that runway 07R/25L would be available for flight operations starting at 11:00. The driver of the vehicle involved was identified as an employee of a construction firm.

Probable cause

A vehicle driven by a construction worker entered the active runway at high speed during the takeoff roll of a Boeing 737-800, occurring after the aircraft had passed its $V_1$ decision speed.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2007-07-31 Boeing B737-800 accident near Berlin-Schönefeld, DE?

A passenger flight was interrupted during takeoff at Berlin-Schönefeld when a vehicle entered the active runway at high speed.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2007-07-31 involved a Boeing B737-800, at Berlin-Schönefeld, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A vehicle driven by a construction worker entered the active runway at high speed during the takeoff roll of a Boeing 737-800, occurring after the aircraft had passed its $V_1$ decision speed.

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