What happened
On March 9, 2005, at 11:26 UTC, a runway incursion occurred at Prague Airport (LKPR) involving two aircraft operating on different runways. The first aircraft, a Cessna C 501 with registration GDK109, was cleared to enter runway 31 and hold. Shortly thereafter, a BAe RJ85, registration DAT67N, was cleared to enter runway 24 and hold.
At 11:26:24, the tower issued a takeoff clearance intended for the Cessna C 501 on runway 31. However, the crew of the BAe RJ85 on runway 24 mistakenly read back this clearance as their own and began their takeoff roll on runway 24. During the roll, the Cessna C 501 requested confirmation of its takeoff clearance, and the tower controller confirmed the takeoff for the Cessna C 501.
Upon realizing the error, the tower controller instructed the BAe RJ85 to hold position, abort the takeoff, and come to an immediate stop. The crew of the BAe RJ85 complied and aborted the takeoff, eventually vacating runway 24 via taxiway B.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation utilized radar data and radio communications recordings from the Prague Air Traffic Control (ŘLP) to reconstruct the sequence of events. The investigation focused on the radio correspondence between the tower and both aircraft, as well as the movement of the aircraft on the maneuvering area.
Findings
- Both runways (24 and 31) were operational at the time of the incident.
- The crew of the BAe RJ85 confirmed a takeoff clearance that was actually intended for the other aircraft.
- The tower controller failed to immediately recognize the error and instead confirmed the takeoff for the Cessna C 501 when prompted by that aircraft's crew.
- The incident was caused by the incorrect response of the DAT67N crew to a takeoff clearance intended for another aircraft and the delayed response of the tower controller to the developing situation.