2023-04 · NASA ASRS report 1994996
Air carrier flight crew reported ATC cleared them for takeoff while there was an aircraft already on short final. The flight crew stopped the aircraft and questioned the clearance and were then re-cleared for takeoff after the runway was clear.
Taxiing to RWY XX via Taxiway 1 to Taxiway 2; ground informed us we would be number 1 for takeoff in front of a jet holding on Taxiway 3. About 100 yards from the RWY; FO (First Officer) asked if I was ready then switched to tower freq and stated we were ready. Twr replied 'Cleared for takeoff RWY XX'. We proceeded past the jet and appox 50 yards before the hold short line; I was about to call [a checklist item]; I looked out my side window and saw a medium sized business jet on less than a mile final for RWY XX. I stopped the aircraft prior to the hold short line. Approximately 10-15 seconds later the bizjet passed in front of us and completed his landing. FO asked Twr to confirm our clearance. We were then given 'Line up and wait' followed by 'Cleared for takeoff ' after the bizjet vacated the rwy. Twr failed to ensure separation before clearing us for takeoff. Tower controllers need to ensure no aircraft on short final before clearing another aircraft for takeoff. Aircrews need to remain vigilant. Perhaps the first item on the checklist should read; 'Runway and approach path.....Clear'.
A few hundred feet from the hold short I called Tower to let them know we were ready for takeoff. Tower cleared us for takeoff Runway XX; fly runway heading. As we approached the hold short the Captain checked his left side to ensure final was clear. At that point we noticed what appeared to be a Falcon jet on a one mile final and a few hundred feet off the deck for Runway XX. The Captain stopped the jet prior to the hold short. As we watched the jet land I asked Tower to confirm clearance. Tower then instructed us to line up and wait Runway XX. Within a few moments he again cleared us to fly runway heading; cleared for take off Runway XX. After airborne he switched us to departure and nothing else was said from Tower. Event appears to be caused by a lack of awareness by Tower that he had cleared us for takeoff with another aircraft on short final for the same runway. Captains clearing of final prevented us from taking the runway while the other jet was landing.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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