What happened
On February 4, 2025, at 16:24 local time, a runway incursion occurred at Córdoba Airport, Spain. The incident involved an Air Tractor AT-802, registration EC-LNG, operated by Pegasus Aviación, and a Cessna 172N, registration EC-EJG, operating under private flight rules.
The Air Tractor was conducting a flight instruction mission with an instructor and a student on board. After performing maneuvers near Palma del Rio, the crew proceeded to Córdoba Airport via notification point W to perform a series of take-offs and landings. At the time of the event, the airport was operating outside of AFIS hours, with runway 21 designated as the preferred runway.
While the Air Tractor was approaching runway 03, the Cessna 17 and its occupants (a pilot and a passenger) were positioned at holding point A, performing engine warm-up procedures for a departure from runway 21. Following a take-off and landing cycle by the Air Tractor at 16:19, the Cessna crew crossed holding point A and taxied toward the threshold of runway 21. After performing a 180-degree turn to align with the runway, the occupants of the Cessna observed the Air Tractor approaching runway 03 from a distance.
Despite several radio communications attempted by the occupants of the Cessna, the Air Tractor continued its approach. In response to the approaching aircraft, the passenger of the Cessna took control of the aircraft and applied power to move the plane to the runway 21 turnoff pad. During this sequence, the Air Tractor performed a take-off and landing on runway 03 while the Cessna was positioned on the runway 21 turnoff, resulting in a runway incursion. No injuries or aircraft damage were reported.
The investigation
The investigation focused on analyzing the operations and procedures performed by the crews of both aircraft involved in the incident.