What happened
On February 25, 2024, a serious air traffic incident occurred near Skerjafjörður while aircraft were operating in the traffic pattern for runway 19 at Reykjavík Airport (BIRK). The incident involved two aircraft: a Textron Aviation Inc. 172N, registration TF-FFL, and a Diamond DA-20, registration TF-FGB.
At approximately 15:17 UTC, the air traffic environment was busy, with radio frequency utilization reaching roughly 70%. The TF-FFL was established as number two for landing, while the TF-FGB was arriving from Keflavík. During the sequence, the controller provided instructions to the TF-FFL to turn onto the crosswind leg. However, no traffic information was provided to the pilots regarding the proximity of the other aircraft.
At 15:26:18 UTC, the two aircraft experienced a near-collision at an altitude of approximately 900 feet, just west of Kársnes. The vertical separation was as little as 25 feet, while the horizontal separation was approximately 75 feet. The pilot of the TF-FFL notified the tower 32 seconds after the event that another aircraft had flown very low beneath them.
The investigation
The RNSA investigation examined cockpit recordings and tower environmental audio. The investigation established that the control tower environment was highly distracted. A television in the workspace was broadcasting a football match (the Carabae Cup Final), which prompted significant discussions among the air traffic controllers on duty. Additionally, a physical distraction occurred when a wastebasket fell in the tower, momentarily drawing the attention of the controllers.
Findings
- Distractions in the tower: The primary contributing factor was the lack of a sterile working environment. The ongoing football match and the resulting chatter among the controllers, including the controller on rest, significantly degraded situational awareness.
- Lack of traffic information: The controller failed to provide necessary traffic information to the pilots of both the TF-FFL and TF-FGB during their approach.
- High workload: High radio frequency utilization (70%) combined with secondary distractions increased the complexity of the task.
Safety action
Following the incident, the television was disconnected from the workspace on February 26, 2024. The RNSA has recommended that Isavia develop and implement formal procedures regarding the use of media (including television, radios, and internet) within air traffic service workspaces to ensure a sterile environment and maintain procedural consistency.