Factual Information
On 4 October 2010, at 10:35 UTC, a Boeing 737-800, registration OK-TVP, operating as Travel Service flight TVS1038, was taxiing for departure from runway 13 at Prague Ruzyně Airport (LKPR). The flight crew had received and acknowledged ATC instructions to taxi via taxiways H1, F, L, and runway 24, and to hold short of runway 13. Despite this, the crew proceeded onto the active runway 13 without clearance.
At the time, another aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 with callsign NAX3580, was on short final approach to runway 13. Due to the occupied runway, the air traffic controller instructed NAX3580 to execute a go-around and to deviate 15° to the right to ensure separation from a departing aircraft (CSA724) that had taken off ahead of TVS1038.
As a result of the incursion, vertical separation between NAX3580 (on the go-around) and the departing CSA724 decreased to 70% of the minimum (700 feet) and horizontal separation to 66% (2 NM), occurring at different times. No injuries or aircraft damage were reported.
Analysis
Investigation revealed that the flight crew of TVS1038 held valid licenses and medical certificates. They had correctly repeated the ATC instruction to hold short of runway 13. Nonetheless, they failed to stop at the holding point and entered the runway without authorization.
Weather and navigational aids were not factors. The communication between ATC and the aircraft was clear and recorded.
The event was classified as a runway incursion resulting from the unauthorized entry onto an active runway. The subsequent reduction in separation minima required a collision avoidance maneuver, classifying the incident as a major incident/near collision severity level B4 (major incident/rare) according to Annex 13.
Conclusion
The investigation committee concluded that the incident was caused by crew error—specifically, the failure of the TVS1038 flight crew to comply with ATC instructions to hold short of runway 13. The controller's prompt action to vector NAX3580 away prevented a potential collision.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation report stated that safety recommendations were left to the operator.