What happened
On May 15, 2018, an Airbus 320, registration LV-BOI, operated by Latam Argentina, was preparing for takeoff from runway 13 at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. Following instructions from the tower control, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. During the acceleration phase, the flight crew observed another aircraft, an Embraer 190 with registration LV-CPK, crossing the active runway via taxiway 3. The aircraft was being towed from the commercial apron to the industrial apron.
Upon identifying the hazard, the crew of LV-BOI successfully aborted the takeoff at approximately 60 knots. The aircraft was brought under control and vacated the runway via taxiway 4. Following the incident, the crew informed the passengers and the rest of the crew about the situation.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the coordination between air traffic control frequencies and the procedures used for runway crossings. Investigators found that the air traffic service provider, EANA, was utilizing two separate frequencies: a primary tower frequency and a surface/taxi frequency. While the primary frequency handled runway operations, the surface frequency managed movements on the apron and taxiways.
It was established that the controller on the surface frequency authorized the towing of LV-CPK to cross the active runway. Simultaneously, the controller on the primary frequency cleared LV-BOI for takeoff. The investigation noted that the surface controller was temporarily absent from their station to check air conditioning equipment in another room, requiring the primary frequency controller to manage both communications.
Findings
- The use of separate frequencies for runway operations and runway crossings did not align with ICAO Document 9870 recommendations, which suggest that communications regarding runway use should be transferred from ground control to the aerodrome controller before an aircraft enters or crosses a runway.
- There was a lack of effective coordination between the controllers operating the primary and surface frequencies.
- The use of different frequencies created a fragmented communication environment, preventing both the flight crew and the towing operators from hearing critical instructions regarding runway occupancy.
- The procedure for crossing the runway via the surface frequency was an informal practice used by the service provider and had not been formally documented.