Background
On 20 November 2011, an Airbus A320, registration EI-DTJ, operated by Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana SpA, was scheduled to operate flight AZA1344 from Bologna Borgo Panigale Airport (ICAO LIPE) to Catania Fontanarossa. The aircraft had 6 crew members and 91 passengers on board. The airport is located approximately 6 km northwest of Bologna, with an elevation of 123 feet AMSL, and has a single runway 12/30, 2803 m long and 45 m wide.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the event, the METAR issued at 12:50 UTC reported visibility of 1200 meters, fog (BR), a broken cloud ceiling at 200 feet (BKN002), wind from 350° at 3 knots, and QNH 1025 hPa. Based on the low visibility and ceiling, the tower had activated the preparatory phase for low visibility procedures (LVP), which included the activation of stop bars.
Personnel
The tower was staffed by three air traffic controllers: one on the tower (TWR) position, one on ground (GND), and one as operational coordinator (COO). The TWR controller on duty was nearing the end of his morning shift (07:00–15:00 local time) and was about to be relieved by another controller. Both the relieving and relieved controllers had participated in a recurrent training session on 17 November 2011 that covered runway incursion and handover procedures. The relieved controller was 25 years old, qualified as a controller since September 2010, and held a TWR/RAD license since February 2011. The relieving controller was 50 years old, qualified since May 2002, and held a TWR/RAD license since June 2007.
Event Sequence
Immediately after the handover of the TWR position between the two controllers, the A320 was instructed to line up on runway 30 and was cleared for takeoff. However, two vehicles operated by the airport management were still on the runway, having been authorized earlier by the TWR. One vehicle, designated BCU, was used for bird control; the other, designated Safety, was conducting a periodic runway inspection. When the TWR instructed the BCU to vacate, it promptly left the runway. The Safety vehicle, meanwhile, independently noticed the aircraft's lights approaching and quickly moved to the right, stopping on the shoulder between taxiways E and F. The A320 passed the stationary vehicle during its takeoff roll and departed. After takeoff, the flight crew reported to the TWR that a vehicle was stationary on the left side of the runway.
Aftermath
No damage was sustained by the aircraft or any other property. The investigation did not assign a probable cause. The event was classified as a serious incident.