What happened
On October 27, 2013, at 15:18 local time, a BEECHCRAFT 1900D, registration CS-TMU, was performing a scheduled commercial takeoff from runway 13 at Málaga Airport (LEMG) under instrument flight rules. During the initial climb, the crew of the BEECHCRAFT 1900D received a TCAS Traffic Advisory (TA) indicating an aircraft in close proximity.
Simultaneously, a private ROCKWELL COMMANDER, registration N111HY, was conducting a visual flight along the coast at 1,000 feet. After receiving instructions from the tower to continue along the coastline, the pilot of N111HY proceeded to cross the extended centerline of runway 13. As the aircraft approached the runway, the tower controller issued an instruction to the private aircraft not to cross the active runway due to the departing traffic. In response, the pilot of N111HY initiated a 180-degree left turn. This maneuver actually reduced the separation between the two aircraft, bringing them to a minimum distance of 0.4 NM horizontally and 225 ft vertically.
The investigation
The investigation examined communications between the tower controller and both aircraft, as well as the instructions provided to the VFR flight. The investigation reviewed the controller's instructions, noting that while the controller intended to prevent the crossing, the specific instruction to avoid the runway centerline was omitted from the initial clearance. The investigation also analyzed the pilot's decision-making regarding the crossing of the extended runway centerline and the subsequent evasive maneuver.
Findings
- The tower controller failed to explicitly instruct the pilot of N111HY not to cross the extended centerline of runway 13.
- The pilot of N111HY did not request specific clearance to cross the runway centerline, which is required by the AIP for flights at that altitude.
- The pilot of N111HY performed a 180-degree turn that increased the risk of collision by bringing the aircraft closer to the departing BEECHCRAFT 1900D.
- The controller relied on the assumption that the VFR aircraft would not cross the runway without providing a definitive instruction to the contrary.