What happened
On May 6, 2025, at approximately 17:05 UTC, a runway incursion occurred at Madrid/Cuatro Vientos Airport (LECU) involving a Piper PA28, registration EC-GBL, and a Tecnam P2008 JC, registration EC-OMY.
The pilot of the EC-GBL, a student performing their first solo flight, had landed following a series of training maneuvers. After landing, the controller authorized the EC-OMY to line up on runway 27. As the EC-GBL began a turn to exit the runway via taxiway J3, the controller observed the movement and instructed the pilot to continue taxiing toward taxiway G. However, the pilot of the EC-GBL noticed what they believed to be an emergency vehicle on a parallel taxiway and decided to remain on the runway to avoid interference, failing to notify the controller of this change in taxi route.
Simultaneously, the controller authorized the EC-OMY for takeoff. Upon realizing that both aircraft were on the runway, the controller attempted to instruct the EC-OMY to abort the takeoff. However, due to simultaneous transmissions and the use of non-standard phraseology, the instruction was not received. The instructor on board the EC-OMY decided to proceed with the takeoff maneuver. The EC-OMY rotated at the tower height, and by the time it reached taxiway K-1, the EC-GBL had successfully cleared the runway.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the actions of both flight crews, the air traffic controller, and the communication procedures in place at the aerodrome. The investigation focused on the sequence of taxiing maneuvers, the effectiveness of the controller's visual monitoring, and the clarity of radio communications between the tower and the aircraft involved.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the pilot of the EC-GBL initiating a runway exit maneuver that was subsequently corrected to continue taxiing on the runway without notifying the controller.
- The controller authorized the takeoff of the EC-OMY without verifying that the EC-GBL had completely vacated the runway.
- Communication overload occurred due to simultaneous transmissions between the tower and the EC-OMY crew, compounded by the use of non-standard phraseology.
- The instructor on the EC-OMY made the decision to continue the takeoff despite being aware that the runway was occupied by another aircraft.
- The student pilot's status was not clearly identified in the flight plan or the initial radio contact, as the prefix "student" was omitted.