What happened
On January 10, 2018, at Zurich Airport (LSZH), an Airbus A319 operated by easyJet returned to the airport following a suspected tire defect during its takeoff roll on runway 28. After landing on runway 16, the aircraft remained stationary near the intersection of runways 16 and 28. In response, the airport fire service deployed several vehicles to inspect the aircraft's landing gear.
Once the inspection confirmed no immediate danger, the fire crew was instructed to exit the runway via taxiway Romeo 7. During the departure of the fire truck Florian 223, a misunderstanding occurred between the driver and the vehicle officer regarding the navigation route. The driver mistakenly headed toward the intersection of runway 28, approaching the active runway at approximately 40 km/h.
Simultaneously, an Airbus A320 (callsign EDW 404) was performing its takeoff roll on runway 28. The airport's ground radar collision warning system triggered an alarm as the fire truck approached the runway. Although the air traffic controller issued an immediate warning to keep the fire service away from runway 28, the Airbus A320 passed over the intersection at an altitude of roughly 10 meters just seconds before the fire truck came to an abrupt halt. The flight crew of the Airbus A32 and EDW 404 did not observe the fire truck during the maneuver.
The investigation
An investigation by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) examined radio communications, ground radar data, video recordings, and statements from the crew, air traffic controllers, and firefighters. The inquiry focused on the navigation of the fire truck, the communication between the vehicle's occupants, and the training levels of the fire service personnel regarding runway operations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the near-miss was a misunderstanding between the driver and the vehicle officer regarding which taxiway to use for the return to the station.
- The crew's attention was diverted by non-essential conversation and tasks, leading to a lack of situational awareness regarding their position on the runway system.
- The driver lacked sufficient routine in runway operations, as regular driving training is primarily conducted on taxiways and roads rather than active runways due to heavy traffic.
- The incident occurred during twilight, which may have impacted visual orientation.
Safety action
Following the investigation, SUST issued safety notices to the airport operator and fire service. These notices emphasize the need for regular driving training on the runway system to ensure crews can operate safely during emergencies. Additionally, the findings prompted a recommendation for the fire service to implement operational rules—similar to a 'sterile flight deck'—to ensure that crews maintain focus on navigation and refrain from distracting conversations while operating on the runway system.