What happened
On 22 September 2017, a serious runway incursion occurred at Hong Kong International Airport involving an Air Cargo Global Boeing 747-40 and a Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-343, registration B-LNS.
At approximately 08:54 local time, the Hong Kong Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff on Runway 07R. As the aircraft commenced its takeoff roll, the flight crew observed another aircraft entering the runway from the left side. The pilots immediately initiated a rejected takeoff, reaching a speed of 69 knots before coming to a halt. Air Traffic Control (ATC) also issued an immediate instruction to stop.
Simultaneously, the Air Cargo Global Boeing 747-40, registration OM-ACB, was taxiing toward the cargo apron. While the aircraft was approaching the J6 holding point, it entered Runway 07R. The two aircraft came within approximately 1,100m of each other. There were no injuries and no damage to either aircraft.
The investigation
The AAIA investigation examined the actions of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel and the sequence of taxi instructions. The investigation established that the Ground Movement Control (GMC) position was being manned by a trainee under the supervision of an instructor. During the period leading up to the incident, the instructor had taken control of the frequency due to the trainee's difficulty managing traffic volume.
Investigators reviewed the communications between the aircraft and the controllers. It was noted that the instructor issued taxi instructions to the Boeing 747-40 to proceed via taxiways K and L2 to a parking bay. However, the investigation found that the aircraft entered the active runway during this maneuver. The investigation also reviewed the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), noting that a visual red conflict alert was triggered on the controllers' workstations, though no audio alarm was heard.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the unauthorized entry of the cargo aircraft onto the active runway.
- The flight crew of the Airbus A330-343 acted correctly by rejecting the takeoff upon visual identification of the conflict.
- The ground controller issued taxi instructions that resulted in the cargo aircraft crossing the runway without explicit clearance to do so.
- A visual conflict alert was displayed on the A-SMGCS, but the system did not provide an audible warning to the controllers.