What happened
On 26 November 2010, a Finnair Airbus A340-300, registration OH-LQD, was taxiing for departure from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to Helsinki. The aircraft was cleared by Air Traffic Control to proceed via Taxiway B to the holding point for Runway 07L.
As the aircraft approached the end of Taxiway B, the Air Movements Controller cleared the flight for take-off. While performing a standard right turn onto Taxiway A1, the crew inadvertently made a premature right turn onto Taxiway A, a taxiway situated between Taxiway B and the active runway. Believing the aircraft was aligned with the runway, the crew commenced a rolling take-off on the taxiway.
The error was detected by the Ground Movements Controller via the airport's surface movement radar. Air Traffic Control immediately ordered the aircraft to stop. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 1,400 metres from the western end of Taxiway A. While there were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft, the aborted take-off resulted in hot brakes.
The investigation
The investigation examined the cockpit environment, the aircraft's flight data, and the airport's infrastructure. Investigators reviewed the crew's workload, the effectiveness of the company's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the airport's visual markings and signage. The investigation also looked into previous similar occurrences at the airport, noting that the area around the junction of Taxiway A1 and Taxiway A had been previously designated as a "hot spot" due to a history of runway incursion risks.