What happened
On April 17, 2024, at approximately 15:16 UTC, a runway incursion occurred at El Dorado International Airport (SKBO) in Bogotá, Colombia. The aircraft involved in the incursion was an Airbus A320neo, registration HK5353, operating flight 8523. The aircraft was taxiing on the Kilo parallel and had been instructed to hold at taxiway Kilo 1 for runway 14R.
While the crew of HK5353 was preparing for departure, an arriving Airbus A320neo, registration N965AV, was on its final approach to runway 14R. The air traffic controller authorized HK5353 to taxi onto runway 14R, instructing the crew to remain behind the arriving traffic. However, the crew of HK53 and53 only partially read back the conditional instruction, and the controller failed to verify the complete readback.
As a result, the crew of HK5353 inadvertently entered the active runway. An unidentified third aircraft on the frequency broadcasted a "Runway Incursion" alert. Recognizing the danger, the controller immediately ordered the arriving aircraft, flight 9557, to execute a go-around. The crew of flight 9557 performed the missed approach at an altitude of approximately 300 feet AGL. Following the incident, the crew of HK5353 clarified that their original intent was to taxi and hold, but the aircraft had already entered the runway. There were no injuries to the 55 passengers or 3 crew members on HK5353, and no damage was reported to either aircraft.
The investigation
The GRIAA investigation examined air traffic control transcripts, airport security camera footage, and pilot reports. The investigation focused on the communication exchange between the South Tower controller and the flight crews. Investigators analyzed the flight path of the arriving aircraft to determine the proximity of the incursion to the threshold of runway 14R. The investigation also reviewed the controller's adherence to standard phraseology and the verification of readbacks.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the incomplete readback of a conditional taxi instruction by the crew of HK5353, which was not corrected by the air traffic controller.
- There was a failure in the application of standard aeronautical phraseology during the taxi authorization.
- The controller did not verify that the crew had fully understood the instruction to hold behind the arriving traffic.
- A lack of "sterile cockpit" discipline was noted within the control tower during the period of the incident.
- The investigation identified a technical error in judgment regarding the management of communications and the prioritization of instructions.