Incident Overview
On 6 May 2025, at approximately 19:05 local time (17:05 UTC), a runway incursion occurred at Madrid/Cuatro Vientos Airport (LECU) involving two aircraft: a Piper PA28, registration EC-GBL, and a Tecnam P2008 JC, registration EC-OMY. The EC-GBL was conducting a student pilot's first solo flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and was in the landing phase. The EC-OMY was also operating under VFR as a dual instruction flight, with an instructor and a student on board, and was preparing for takeoff.
Sequence of Events
The EC-GBL was cleared to land on runway 27. After the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, the air traffic controller cleared the EC-OMY to enter the runway and line up for departure. When the controller observed the EC-GBL initiating a turn to exit the runway via taxiway J3, the controller authorized the EC-OMY for takeoff. However, the pilot of the EC-GBL, perceiving a possible conflict with an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle that was thought to be moving on the parallel taxiway, decided not to exit at J3 and instead continued taxiing on the runway. As a result, both aircraft were simultaneously on the active runway.
Aircraft and Personnel
Aircraft 1 (EC-GBL): Piper PA28, operated by Club Deportivo Básico Air Team One. The pilot was a student on his first solo flight. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aircraft 2 (EC-OMY): Tecnam P2008 JC, operated by World Aviation Flight Academy. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. No injuries or damage were reported.
Air Traffic Control: The controller on duty was from the Saerco ATC provider.
Weather and Aerodrome Information
Meteorological conditions were not explicitly described in the report, but the incident occurred in daylight under VFR. Madrid/Cuatro Vientos has a single runway (27/09) with associated taxiways.
Investigation Findings
The investigation, conducted by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC), identified that the incident involved a conflict between the landing aircraft's decision to remain on the runway and the departing aircraft's takeoff clearance. No explicit probable cause was stated in the provided source.
Safety Recommendations and Actions
Following the incident, several safety recommendations were issued to Saerco, Club Deportivo Air Team One, World Aviation Flight Academy, and AESA/AENA. These recommendations focused on operational procedures and coordination to prevent similar occurrences.
*Note: This article is based solely on the official investigation report and does not include any speculative analysis.*