What happened
On June 30, 2004, at Geneva Airport, an air traffic incident occurred involving an Air France Boeing 737-500 (registration AFR542D) and a state-operated Falcon 50 (registration 9U-BTB). During the approach for runway 23, the air traffic controller instructed the 9U-BTB to line up behind a Boeing 737 that was on short final. However, an Airbus 320 was simultaneously preparing for departure from the same runway.
Following the landing of a Gulfstream V, the controller authorized the Airbus 320 to depart. Shortly after, the controller issued a conditional clearance to the 9U-BTB to line up at intersection YANKEE behind the Boeing 737. The pilot of the 9U-BTB read back the instruction but misunderstood the sequence. As the Airbus 320 passed the intersection during its takeoff roll, the 9U-BTB moved onto the runway. This runway incursion placed the departing Airbus directly in the path of the arriving AFR542D, which was approximately 0.75 NM from the threshold. To avoid a collision, the controller ordered the AFR542D to execute a go-around.
The investigation
Investigators examined radar recordings, radio transcripts, and statements from the air traffic controller and both flight crews. The investigation focused on the clarity of the conditional clearance and the pilot's interpretation of the traffic sequence. The investigation also reviewed the status of runway stop bars, noting that when CAT I procedures are active, the red stop bars at intersections Y and Z are not illuminated.
Findings
- The pilot of the 9U-BTB misinterpreted the controller's previous message regarding his departure position as an authorization to line up after the second aircraft in the sequence.
- The pilot of the 9U-BTB failed to visually verify the position of approaching traffic before lining up on the runway.
- The controller's use of the term "en courte" (on short) instead of the standard "en finale" (on final) was a deviation from standard phraseology.
- The pilot's readback of the conditional clearance was too brief and did not meet the required standards for confirming complex instructions.
- The controller did not correct the pilot's inaccurate readback, citing high workload and the need to prioritize other traffic movements.