B787-900 flight crew reported that while entering the runway for takeoff; the Tower Controller directed them to stop immediately for landing traffic which was instructed to go around. Controller stated the takeoff clearance was an ATC error.
Synopsis
B787-900 flight crew reported that while entering the runway for takeoff; the Tower Controller directed them to stop immediately for landing traffic which was instructed to go around. Controller stated the takeoff clearance was an ATC error.
Narrative
Normal taxi communications with Ground Control from departure gate pushback position: Taxi 1 - 2 - 3. Hold at 4". I (The First Officer); read back the clearance. Captain taxied as instructed. Approaching 4; Ground Control asked us to switch to Tower Freq XXX.X We checked in with Tower. He asked us to continue to hold at 4 while airport vehicles finish "Bird Strike Inspection" on "Landing Runway XXR". After 5mins; Tower instructed us to "Cleared to cross Runway XXR; Left on Taxiway 5; Line up and Wait Runway XXL". I read back this clearance IN FULL. The three of us (we had a 3rd Pilot acting as Relief Pilot) carefully agreed to the instructions. Confirmed the FIRST approaching Runway XXR was CLEAR of Landing aircraft/vehicles. Both Captain and I verbally said "Clear Left; Clear Right" before we started to cross Runway XXR. Proceeded to turn left onto 5. Once established on 5; I asked Tower to confirm he cleared us "to Line Up and Wait Runway XXL?" Tower replied "Aircraft X Cleared for Takeoff Runway XXL". I read back "Aircraft X cleared to takeoff Runway XXL". As trained; we both looked in direction of Final Approach and Captain said "Final is clear". We made the hard right 90 ft. turn to join Entrance to runway and almost immediately our nose wheel crossed the runway Hold Short Line; when Tower said "Aircraft X STOP!!" I read back "Aircraft X is Stopped; Parking Brake is Set". At that moment; we looked again at Final and saw a small jet on approx 1/2 mile final as Tower told this aircraft "Go Around". My Captain got on the radio and told Tower "You cleared Aircraft X to Takeoff Runway XXL". Tower replied. "Yes I did. This was our mistake". After aircraft successfully completed go around; Tower then instructed us to "Line up and wait Runway XXL". We did. Then Tower calmly said "Sorry; our error". "Aircraft X cleared for takeoff". We (I was Pilot Flying) conducted a normal Takeoff and approximately 300 ft. AGL; I engaged Auto Pilot ; following the SID ZZZZZ. Normal; uneventful flight to destination. Cause: All three of us Flight Deck Crew conducted taxi procedures; using situational awareness and even a second CONFIRMATION of "Line Up and Hold on Runway XXL" long before we reached the entrance to Runway XXL. Tower modified this original clearance to "Aircraft X Cleared for Takeoff Runway XXL". I read back "Aircraft X Cleared for Takeoff Runway XXL". We were still moving on Taxiway 5. So never had to stop short of Runway XXL so made right turn into the entrance (Taxiway 6) and just crossing the Hold Short Line when Tower told us to STOP!! As far as I know; all three of us were performing our trained duties with SAFETY FIRST. This event was COMPLETELY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ERROR. Suggestions: From perspective of our Pilot Duties: We followed ALL taxi procedures as trained. All three of us were actively monitoring our taxi progress and ATC instructions. Air Traffic Controllers have a difficult job; made a mistake(s); and are only human like us."
Second reporter narrative
We were planning for takeoff Runway XXL. Runway XXR was closed for a runway inspection after a bird strike. We were holding short of XXR at Taxiway 4 and monitoring Tower. After the runway was cleared of bird debris we were cleared to cross XXR and cleared to line up XXL; all in one transmission. After crossing XXL the FO called to confirm we were cleared to line up XXL. The Tower responded yes and also cleared us for takeoff XXL. I checked final for traffic and saw none. After partially entering the runway the Tower called and told us to stop. At that point I saw the Gulfstream on the curving final approach. It's hard to know where to look for the traffic. The Tower sent the Gulfstream around; I think he was about three miles out. There was a low danger of collision; but it shouldn't have happened. The Tower admitted it was their mistake due to XXR being closed. We were cleared for takeoff. Cause: Obviously an error by ZZZZ ATC. Suggestions: There's not much we can do on our end; it's up to ATC to fix this. Even if I had seen the Gulfstream it would have been reasonable to assume he was flying the approach to the other runway. The ground track is nearly identical.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.