Incident Overview
On 16 April 2000 at 1330 UTC, a Cessna Citation 550, registration OE-GLZ, was involved in an approach error while landing at Belfast (Aldergrove) Airport. The aircraft, powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4 turbojet engines, had flown from Dublin Airport and was conducting a VOR approach to Runway 07. The two crew members were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Sequence of Events
After checking in with the tower controller, the crew of OE-GLZ was cleared to land on Runway 07. The controller observed on the Air Traffic Monitor that the aircraft appeared south of the normal approach track and at a lower altitude than typical for its distance from Aldergrove. A review of the recorded tower frequency (118.3 MHz) confirmed the communications.
The controller asked if the crew had the approach lights in sight. They replied they had the runway in sight but not the approach lights. The controller then informed them of a similar airfield three miles west of Aldergrove and requested they advise when they could see the approach lights. When the crew stated they could not see any approach lights but were "Short finals for Runway 07," the controller immediately instructed a go-around and climb straight ahead to 3,000 feet, which was acknowledged.
Shortly after, the controller inquired if the crew could see approach lights to their left. Upon confirmation, the controller cleared them for a visual approach to Runway 07 at Aldergrove. On final approach, the crew confirmed their landing clearance and apologized to the controller.
Context
Langford Lodge, an unlicensed aerodrome located 3 nautical miles southwest of Aldergrove Airport and very close to the centerline of the approach to Runway 07, has crossed runways oriented 08/26 and 03/21. Previous incidents involved crews mistakenly approaching Langford Lodge instead of Aldergrove. Consequently, on the afternoon of 16 April, the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) advised pilots of Langford Lodge's existence and that Runway 07 approach lights would be illuminated. In this case, close monitoring and effective action by the controller prevented the crew from landing at Langford Lodge.