Incident Overview
On 2 December 2024, a serious runway incursion occurred at Keflavik Airport (BIKF). A snowplow convoy, designated FROST 10 and consisting of four vehicles used for runway and taxiway cleaning, was given clearance to enter runway 19 via taxiway S-1 while aircraft ICE750 (a Boeing 767-300BCF, registration TF-ISP) was in its takeoff roll on the same runway. The aircraft, a cargo freighter operated by an unnamed airline, had been cleared for takeoff moments earlier.
Sequence of Events
At 23:03, flight ICE750 requested taxi clearance. The air traffic controller, who was handling combined tower, ground, and data positions due to low workload, cleared the aircraft to taxi to runway 19 via taxiway November. At 23:04:31, as the aircraft passed taxiway N-13 on N-4, the flight crew called the tower. The controller cleared ICE750 for takeoff on runway 19, stating winds from 200 degrees at 19 knots. The crew acknowledged.
Meanwhile, a convoy of four snow-clearing vehicles, led by FROST 10, was sweeping water from the apron to prevent icing. At 23:06:00, the driver of FROST 10 radioed the tower, reporting the convoy at taxiway S-1 and requesting clearance to turn onto runway 01 (which intersects runway 19). The controller, who had removed the flight strip for ICE750 from his desk, scanned the airfield and saw the convoy approaching S-1. He granted clearance to enter runway 01 and activated the stop bar on S-1 to allow the convoy across runway 19.
At 23:06:06, ICE750 entered runway 19 without stopping and began its takeoff roll at 23:06:16. The FROST 10 driver, after receiving clearance, looked left and right but did not see aircraft lights. Seeing green centerline lights, he proceeded onto taxiway S-1. As he neared the runway, he looked north and saw the aircraft's lights during takeoff. He braked hard and turned left, causing the right end of the vehicle's front blade to protrude slightly over the runway edge line.
The aircraft, according to flight data, passed over the intersection of runways 19/10 at 23:06:37. The FROST 10 convoy stopped by 23:06:53, and at that same time, ICE750 passed taxiway S-1 during its takeoff. The aircraft became airborne at 23:06:54, less than 100 meters past the convoy. The flight crew did not notice the proximity of the vehicles.
Aftermath
The controller realized the situation when he heard ICE750 on takeoff and saw the convoy in an unusual turn. He then contacted the convoy, apologizing. The Icelandic Transportation Safety Board (RNSA) received a report of the incident from Isavia ANS the next morning, 3 December 2024.
Investigation Findings
The investigation noted that the controller issued the takeoff clearance approximately 1.5 minutes before the aircraft reached the runway. The RNSA viewed this as hazardous. The airfield's lighting system, which uses red stop bars and green centerline lights to control runway access, showed that the stop bar on N-4 was deactivated at 23:06:06, three seconds before the stop bar on S-1 was activated at 23:06:09. The controller stated he was well-rested, having slept 7 hours the previous night and taken an afternoon nap. The FROST 10 driver was also well-rested, having worked a night shift after 24 hours off. The controller noted that he had written the full takeoff time on the flight strip and removed it prematurely, an action he could not explain.