What happened
On November 23, 2002, at Zurich Airport, a serious air traffic incident occurred involving two aircraft on the ground. A Swiss International Air Lines Saab 2000, registration HB-IZW, was cleared for takeoff on runway 28. As the aircraft was accelerating down the runway, an Air France Boeing 737-528, registration F-GJND, crossed the active runway without authorization.
The pilot of the Saab 2000 noticed the Air France aircraft approaching on taxiway Echo at a relatively high speed. The Boeing 737-528 was approximately 20 meters from the runway shoulder at the moment of closest approach. The aircraft flying overhead passed at an altitude of roughly 40 to 50 meters. Shortly after the takeoff roll, the tower controller informed the crew of the Saab 2000 that a runway incursion had just occurred involving the Air France flight.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the Boeing 737-528 deviated from its assigned taxi route. The aircraft had been instructed by Apron South to taxi via taxiways Mike, Echo, and Alpha to the holding point for runway 28. Instead, the aircraft continued straight on taxiway Echo, crossing the runway.
The pilot of the Air France flight stated that during the taxi, he was performing a takeoff briefing. While verifying details in the flight management system, he lost visual contact with the taxiway markings. He noted that the sunlight was positioned behind him, which significantly reduced the visibility of the runway guard lights and the red stop bar lamps. Additionally, the pilot had misidentified a terminal building, which led to a loss of situational awareness regarding his position relative to the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incursion was the unauthorized crossing of runway 28 by the Air France crew.
- The pilot of the Boeing 737-528 failed to observe the 'RWY AHEAD' warning and the stop bar lights due to sunlight glare and a lack of visual reference points.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by conducting a takeoff briefing and verifying flight management system data during the taxi phase.
- The pilot's reliance on parked aircraft for navigation was ineffective because the specific parking stands used for orientation were empty at the time.
- The Air France aircraft was traveling at a speed of approximately 20 to 30 knots, leaving very little time for the crew to correct the error once the mistake was realized.