What happened
On July 1, 2018, a runway incursion occurred at Dresden Airport involving two light aircraft. The first aircraft, a Piper PA-28-181, was on a VFR flight from Braunschweig to Dresden. The second aircraft, a Cirrus SR-22, was operating an IFR flight from Dresden to Essen.
At approximately 11:57 AM, the pilot of the Cirrus SR-22 received taxi instructions to proceed to the holding point for runway 04. However, after completing engine run-up procedures, the pilot taxied onto runway 04 toward takeoff position B. The pilot later stated that he had incorrectly internalized his original clearance.
Simultaneously, the Piper PA-28-181 was on final approach to runway 04. As the Piper approached the threshold, the pilot observed the Cirrus SR-22 suddenly moving onto the runway centerline. Because the Piper was low and slow, a go-around was deemed too risky. To avoid a collision, the pilot of the Piper executed a lateral maneuver to the right, passing the Cirrus on its right side and landing on the remaining width of the runway.
The investigation
The BFU examined the radio communications, the actions of both flight crews, and the workload of the air traffic controller. The investigation established that the controller was managing multiple tasks at the time of the incident, including handling a new arrival, updating radar data, and monitoring a helicopter via binoculars. Consequently, the controller did not observe the Cirrus SR-22 entering the active runway until the conflict was already underway, making it too late to issue a go-around order to the Piper or stop the Cirrus.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the misinterpretation of the taxi clearance by the pilot of the Cirrus SR-22.
- The pilot of the Cirrus SR-22 failed to sufficiently visually scan the approach area before entering the runway.
- The air traffic controller's ability to intervene was hindered by high workload and the lack of ground radar at Dresden Airport to alert personnel to the runway incursion.
- The pilot of the Piper PA-28-181 prevented a collision by choosing to land on the right side of the runway rather than attempting a high-risk go-around.