What happened
On July 24, 2024, at approximately 03:18 UTC, a 727-2M7 aircraft, registration PR-TTO, operated by Total Linhas Aéreas S.A., was performing a scheduled cargo flight from Afonso Pena Airport (SBCT) in Curitiba to Guarulhos (SBGR).
During the takeoff roll on runway 15, immediately after the aircraft reached rotation speed, it crossed paths with a vehicle that had entered the active runway via the threshold of runway 33. The vehicle was engaged in maintenance activities involving the widening and leveling of the main runway and was towing a lighting tower. The aircraft's right wing passed within approximately six meters of the lighting tower. No injuries were reported to the four crew members on board the aircraft or the two individuals in the vehicle, and no damage was sustained by either the aircraft or the equipment.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the circumstances that allowed a maintenance vehicle to enter the active runway during an aircraft's takeoff phase. The investigation examined the credentials of the personnel involved, the operational procedures for runway maintenance, and the coordination between airport ground services and Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Investigators identified that the driver of the vehicle was operating under a temporary credential and lacked both the specific training and the formal authorization required to drive within the airport's movement area. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the existing risk mitigation strategies for construction and maintenance works at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary contributing factor was the unauthorized entry of a vehicle into the runway area by a driver who was not trained or authorized for operations in the movement area.
- The maintenance vehicle was transporting a lighting tower intended for runway leveling and widening projects.
- The aircraft passed the obstacle with a very narrow margin of safety (approximately six meters).
- The Air Traffic Control Officer was simultaneously managing Tower, Ground, and Clearance Delivery positions at the time of the incident.