Serious Incident Involving a Boeing B737-800 at Berlin-Schönefeld

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 31 July 2007, a serious incident occurred at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport involving a Boeing B737-800. The aircraft, manufactured in 1999 with a maximum takeoff mass of 78,244 kg, was operated by a German air transport company and was certified for commercial operations in Germany. The flight was scheduled to depart for Nuremberg and carried seven crew members and 175 passengers. ## Sequence of Events The aircraft began its takeoff roll on runway 25L at 11:29 local time. During the roll, at a speed of 120 to 130 knots, the flight crew observed a passenger car approaching from the south at approximately 100 km/h, crossing the runway at a right angle. According to the crew, the aircraft had already exceeded the v1 decision speed at that moment, so the takeoff was continued. The vehicle stopped approximately 50 meters before the runway. ## Airport and Operational Context Berlin-Schönefeld Airport features two parallel runways oriented 069°/249°. Runway 07R/25L measures 3,000 meters by 45 meters, while runway 07L/25R is 2,710 meters long and 45 meters wide. At the time of the incident, runway 25L was in use, with an Accelerated Stop Distance Available (ASDA) of 3,300 meters published in the Aeronautical Information Publication. ## Construction Activities and Coordination Construction work on taxiways in the area of runway 07R/25L had been ongoing for some time. Operational procedures specified that air traffic would primarily use runway 07L/25R, with the longer runway 07R/25L reserved for use only when necessary. Daily coordination meetings were held at 05:30 local time among air traffic control, the airport, and construction companies to manage work schedules. On the day of the incident, it was agreed that runway 07R/25L would be available for flight operations from 11:00 local time. ## Additional Information The driver of the vehicle was identified as an employee of a construction company. The investigation was conducted by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) in accordance with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Act (FlUUG) of 26 August 1998. The report was closed summarily under § 18 FlUUG, presenting only the facts without determining fault or liability.