What happened
On the evening of December 18, 2001, a SAAB 2000 aircraft, registration OH-SAT, was taxiing from Ramp G at Stockholm/Arlanda airport. The flight was scheduled to proceed to Oulu, Finland, via taxiway Z. During the taxi, the flight crew was instructed by Air Traffic Control to maintain a watch for an aircraft that had recently landed on runway 26 and was taxiing toward them.
As the aircraft approached an intersection where a ground vehicle transport road crosses the taxiway, the commander observed several vehicles waiting for the aircraft to pass. However, as the aircraft reached the intersection, a white Volvo 745 approached the crossing at an estimated speed of 40–50 km/h. To prevent a collision, the pilot was forced to execute strong braking. The vehicle passed directly under the nose of the aircraft, maintaining a distance of only four to five meters.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (SHK) examined the intersection design, the visibility conditions, and the airport's traffic safety protocols. The investigation took place during darkness, which can impact a driver's ability to perceive objects and interpret road markings. The investigators also reviewed the training programs for ground vehicle permits and the effectiveness of the airport's reporting systems.
Findings
- The incident was not caused by a single failure but resulted from multiple independent weaknesses in the interaction between ground vehicles and aircraft.
- Deficiencies were identified in the design of level intersections and the clarity of signs and signals.
- There were noted issues regarding the identification of ground vehicles and the adequacy of driver training programs.
- The investigation highlighted that the airport's divergence reporting system and traffic monitoring/follow-up mechanisms required improvement.
- The driver of the vehicle did not identify themselves, and the incident was not reported by other drivers present at the intersection.