What happened
On May 17, 2013, at 07:03 UTC, a Boeing 757-200, registration G-OOBE, operated by Thomson Airways LTD, was on final approach to runway 25 at Reus Airport (LERS). The aircraft was established on the ILS approach and had been cleared to land.
As the crew approached the runway threshold, the pilot observed a white light aircraft positioned at the runway head. This aircraft, a Diamond DA20 A1, registration EC-IIT, operated by Fundación Rego, had entered the runway while positioned at the holding point. Consequently, the crew of the Boeing 757-200 executed a missed approach (go-around). Following the maneuver, the heavy aircraft was cleared for a visual approach and landed safely without further incident. There were no injuries to the 226 occupants of the Boeing 757 or the single pilot of the Diamond DA20, and no damage was sustained by either aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the communications between the tower controller and both aircraft, as well as the instructions provided to the light aircraft. The controller had instructed the Diamond DA20 A1 to "mantenga corto pista 25" (hold short runway 25). The pilot of the light aircraft, a student pilot on a solo flight, reported interpreting this instruction as authorization to enter the runway and hold.
Investigators also reviewed the controller's actions, noting that while the controller intended to have the light aircraft wait until the Boeing 757 had landed, the instruction was issued before the heavy aircraft had cleared the runway. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the visibility of the runway threshold from the control tower, noting that the distance of the runway 25 threshold from the tower can make observing light-colored, small aircraft difficult.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the unauthorized entry of the light aircraft onto the runway.
- The use of inadequate phraseology by the controller contributed to the event; the instruction "mantenga corto" is a literal translation of the English "hold short" and does not align with standard Spanish regulatory phraseology, which prescribes "espere fuera de pista" (wait outside the runway).
- The student pilot's lack of experience contributed to the misinterpretation of the controller's instruction.
- A lack of visual monitoring of the runway by the controller during the interval between the light aircraft's movement and the Boeing 757's missed approach was a contributing factor.
Safety action
- REC 41/15: It is recommended that ENAIRE verify whether visibility conditions of the runway 25 threshold from the Reus control tower are sufficient to ensure that air traffic control duties can be performed safely and in accordance with current regulations.