What happened
On August 31, 2013, a private Cessna P210N, registration HB-CKH, was returning to Geneva Airport (LSGG) following a VFR flight over the Alps. As the aircraft approached the airport via the SE and GE waypoints, the air traffic controller instructed the pilot to fly over the threshold of runway 05 (concrete) and to report back at the end of the runway 05 (grass) circuit. Although the pilot correctly read back the instruction, the aircraft's heading remained unchanged.
Shortly thereafter, an AVRO 146-RJ100, registration HB-IXT, operated by Swiss European Air Lines, was cleared for takeoff from runway 05. As the airliner prepared for rotation, the captain spotted the single-engine aircraft ahead. The captain elected to continue the takeoff with a slow rotation to avoid a collision. At 09:27:10 UTC, the Cessna P210N crossed the runway at an altitude of 2400 ft, positioned approximately 1850 meters in front of the departing AVRO 146-RJ100.
The investigation
The investigation examined radar data, radio communications, and pilot statements. It established that the air traffic controller had issued a specific routing instruction to manage heavy traffic, a path that was not documented on the pilot's visual approach charts. The investigation also noted that the controller had reminded the pilot that a minimum altitude of 3000 ft was required for runway overflights according to the Aeronautical Information Management Manual (ATMM), a restriction that was not present in the pilot's documentation. The investigation found that the Cessna P210N was traveling at a high ground speed of 160 knots just before crossing the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause was a near-collision between an aircraft taking off and an aircraft overflying the runway due to the pilot's failure to comply with an air traffic control instruction.
- Discrepancies existed between the procedures published in the ATMM and the documentation available to pilots.
- The high ground speed of the Cessna P210N contributed to the risk.
- High traffic density and workload for the controller were present at the time of the incident.