What happened
On 12 November 2003, two separate aircraft operations at Ronaldsway Airport resulted in a near-collision on Runway 21. The first aircraft, a British Aerospace HS.748 Series 2A, registration G-BGMN, was conducting a pilot training flight. To facilitate a simulated engine failure after take-off, the crew utilized Runway 21 instead of the scheduled Runway 26.
Simultaneously, a Piper PA-31-350, registration G-LIDE, was taxiing for an IFR charter flight to Liverpool. The pilot of the G-LIDE had been cleared to taxi to Holding Point A4 via Taxiway 17 and Alpha. As the G-BGMN commenced its take-off roll, the G-LIDE taxied past the A4 holding point, coming to a stop approximately 20 to 30 feet short of the runway threshold.
The investigation
The investigation examined the actions of both crews and the radio communications between Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the pilots. It was established that the commander of the G-BGMN had monitored the progress of the G-LIDE and believed the aircraft would pass safely in front of the departing turboprop. However, the investigation focused heavily on the actions of the G-LIDE commander.
It was found that the G-LIDE commander became preoccupied with a perceived issue on another light aircraft, specifically an open baggage door. This led to a period of distraction where the pilot looked away from the taxiway to attempt a visual inspection of the other aircraft. During this time, the pilot also focused on setting VOR frequencies in the cockpit.
Findings
- The G-LIDE commander operated under the expectation that Runway 26 was the active runway, as indicated by the ATIS, and did not realize Runway 21 was in use for the training departure.
- Distraction caused by the pilot's concern regarding a different aircraft's baggage door led to a loss of situational awareness.
- The pilot's focus on cockpit tasks, such as tuning navigation aids, contributed to the failure to observe the holding point.
- The pilot of the G-LIDE failed to stop at the assigned holding point due to a combination of expectation, distraction, and misplaced priorities.