What happened
On the morning of December 16, 2002, a near-collision occurred at Stockholm/Arlanda airport involving two scheduled commercial aircraft. The first aircraft, an Embraer EMB-145LU with registration HB-JAY, was preparing for a flight to Basel and had been cleared to taxi to the runway 08 holding position. Simultaneously, a SAAB 340 with registration SE-ISR had recently landed on runway 01L and was taxiing toward its parking stand.
As the SAAB 340 proceeded via taxiway ZH and Z, the pilot in command requested the shutdown of the left-hand engine. During this process, the aircraft crossed taxiway A without authorization. The first officer on the HB-JAY spotted the approaching SAAB 340 and shouted for the pilot to stop. The pilot of the HB-JAY performed heavy braking, narrowly avoiding a collision with an estimated minimum distance of only 3 meters.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (SHK) examined the taxi patterns, air traffic control (ATC) communications, and the airport's infrastructure. The investigation looked into the complexity of the Arlanda taxiway system and the practices regarding taxi routes. Investigators noted that while the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) prescribes specific out-taxi routes from Terminal 2, it is common practice for crews to request—and controllers to grant—shorter, alternative routes via taxiway A to save time.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the incident was caused by the pilot in command of the SAAB 340 crossing a taxiway without clearance. Several contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot in command of the SAAB 340 mistakenly believed the path was clear because an aircraft ahead of the HB-JAY had recently passed through the intersection.
- Visual obstructions from parked aircraft prevented the crew of the SE-ISR from seeing the HB-JAY until the last moment.
- The crew of the SE-ISR was distracted by engine shutdown procedures.
- The airport's taxiway system is inherently complex and difficult to navigate.
- Air traffic controllers frequently issue clearances that deviate from established AIP procedures to accommodate shorter taxi routes.
Safety action
Following the investigation, SHK issued recommendations to the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration to conduct a formal review of the Arlanda taxiway system to reduce the risk of operational errors. Additionally, the board recommended that ground controllers should strictly adhere to prescribed AIP taxi routes, only allowing deviations when specifically requested by pilots and when safety conditions permit.