What happened
On 6 October 2022, at approximately 18:14 local time, a runway incursion occurred at Seville Airport involving a PIPER PA-28-161, registration EC-MBV, and an AIRBUS A320-214, registration EC-MAO.
The incident began while the student pilot of the EC-MBV was taxiing toward runway 09. The air traffic controller, operating in a single-position configuration, instructed the student pilot to taxi to the HP2 holding point and to contact the tower when ready for takeoff. Shortly after, the controller cleared the approaching EC-MAO to land on runway 09.
When the student pilot reported readiness for takeoff, the controller instructed the aircraft to hold short of the runway. However, the student pilot entered the runway without authorization. The crew of the EC-MA . aircraft, while on short final, observed the light aircraft at the runway threshold and alerted the controller. This prompted the crew of the EC-MAO to initiate a missed approach. A second Vueling aircraft, registration EC-MOO, also performed a missed approach due to the situation. The student pilot eventually vacated the runway via taxiway E1.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the communications, radar imagery, and flight data from the EC-MAO. The investigation focused on the controller's performance, the student pilot's adherence to procedures, and the use of airport safety equipment.
Investigators noted that the controller's instruction to hold short was appropriate, but the student pilot's read-back was unintelligible, and the controller did not request a clarification. Furthermore, the investigation found that the student pilot's lack of Spanish proficiency prevented him from understanding the controller's Spanish-language communications with the Vueling crews, which would have alerted him to the approaching traffic. The investigation also looked into why the airport stop bars were inactive during the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a runway incursion by the EC-MBV aircraft due to the student pilot's failure to comply with the procedures prescribed in the SERA.
- The student pilot's read-back of the hold-short instruction was unintelligible.
- The controller did not use English for communications with the Vueling crews, which prevented the student pilot from gaining situational awareness regarding the approaching traffic.
- The airport stop bars were not in use because the Seville control tower Operating Manual does not require their use during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions.
- The student pilot was not adequately prepared for a solo flight at a complex airport like Seville.