What happened
On May 23, 2020, at 10:53 UTC, a near-collision occurred during flight training operations at Keflavík Airport. The incident involved two Diamond DA-20 aircraft: TF-KFG, operated by a student pilot on a solo flight, and TF-KFF, carrying an instructor and a student pilot.
While operating in the left traffic pattern for runway 01, the pilot of TF-KFG turned onto the final approach. At that moment, the aircraft was on a collision course with TF-KFF, which was also at an altitude of approximately 300 feet on a short final. Radar data analysis determined that the minimum separation between the two aircraft was only 174 meters.
The investigation
The RNSA investigation examined air traffic control (ATC) communications and radar data. At 10:50:37, the controller informed the pilot of TF-KFG that they were number three in the sequence, following company traffic on the 3-mile final, and instructed them to report traffic in sight. The pilot of TF-KFG reported seeing two aircraft: one crossing their path on a short final (TF-KFX) and another further ahead (TF-KFI).
The investigation found that the controller had excluded TF-KFX from the arrival sequence because the aircraft had already passed the runway threshold and was considered to have landed. However, records showed TF-KFX was still airborne at approximately 400 feet MSL and only 200 feet above the ground, meaning it was still technically an arriving aircraft under MANOPS regulations.
Findings
- The controller's failure to include TF-KFX in the arrival sequence led to an inaccurate traffic description.
- The pilot of TF-KFG identified the wrong aircraft as the intended traffic based on the controller's incomplete information.
- Inconsistent application of aircraft sequencing rules regarding when an aircraft is considered to have completed its landing phase was the primary contributing factor.
Safety action
- The RNSA recommends that Isavia ANS review air traffic controller training to ensure aircraft are counted in the landing sequence until they have physically touched the ground, in accordance with MANOPS 350.2.1.A.