What happened
On February 9, 2018, at approximately 09:02 local time, a runway clearance incident occurred at Reykjavík Airport (BIRK). A British Aerospace Jetstream 3102, registration TF-ORD, was positioned on runway 19 and had received takeoff clearance from the air traffic controller. As the aircraft began its takeoff roll, a snow removal vehicle, identified as Sópur 3, entered taxiway Echo and proceeded onto runway 19.
Prior to the event, air traffic controllers had instructed two snow removal vehicles to vacate runway 19 via taxiway Alpha to allow for snow clearing operations on the eastern side of runway 01/19. The crews of the snow removal vehicles acknowledged these instructions. However, after completing work on taxiway Alpha, the crew of the lead vehicle (Sópur 3) decided to clear a snow drift located at the intersection of taxiway Echo and runway 19. The driver of the vehicle failed to realize that they no longer had authorization to be on the runway.
As the TF-ORD aircraft accelerated, the pilot observed the snow removal vehicle on the taxiway. By the time the vehicle moved onto the active runway 19, the aircraft was too far advanced in its takeoff roll to safely abort the maneuver.
The investigation
The RNSA investigation examined the communications between the air traffic controller, the aircraft crew, and the airport service vehicles. The investigation established that the air traffic controller was using a handheld radio due to a workstation failure, which limited visibility of taxiway Echo behind a window pillar.
Furthermore, the investigation found that the airport service vehicles were communicating on a different radio frequency (the airport service channel) than the one monitored by the air traffic controller. This meant the controller did not hear the service vehicle crew's request to clear the hangar area, which would have provided context regarding their movement.
Findings
- The driver of the lead snow removal vehicle overlooked the fact that they did not have authorization to re-enter the runway after having vacated it minutes earlier.
- The driver's attention was focused on clearing a snow drift at the intersection of taxiway Echo and runway 19.
- The air traffic controller's ability to monitor the movement was hindered by a structural pillar and the use of a handheld radio.
- There was a lack of shared situational awareness due to the air traffic controller not being able to monitor the airport service radio frequency.
Safety action
- The RNSA has recommended that Isavia explore the possibility of connecting a monitor of the tower frequency to the communication equipment in Reykjavík Airport service vehicles to improve situational awareness.