Iran AT72 at Tabriz on Feb 10th 2020, landed on wrong runway
Last Update: February 25, 2020 / 22:09:52 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 10, 2020
Classification
Incident
Airline
Iran Air
Flight number
IR-779
Departure
Baku, Azerbaijan
Destination
Tabriz, Iran
Aircraft Registration
EP-ITM
Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200
ICAO Type Designator
AT72
Airport ICAO Code
OITT
Iran's AIB released their final report in Persian only (Editorial Note: To serve the purpose of global prevention of the repeat of causes leading to an occurrence an additional timely release of all occurrence reports in the only world spanning aviation language English would be necessary, a Persian only release does not achieve this purpose as set by ICAO annex 13 and just forces many aviators to waste much more time and effort each in trying to understand the circumstances leading to the occurrence. Aviators operating internationally are required to read/speak English besides their local language, investigators need to be able to read/write/speak English to communicate with their counterparts all around the globe).
The report concludes the probable cause of the serious incident was:
Pilots' error
The AIB reported there had been vehicles for snow removal on runway 30R, however, had been sent off the runway by ATC, so that no obstacles were on the runway when the ATR touched down on runway 30R unexpectedly. An accident was thus avoided.
The AIB analysed that based on ATIS information from Tabriz airport, which indicated better braking action (medium to good) for runway 30L. The crew had prepared for runway 30R and had FMS etc. set up for that approach. After requesting and receiving clearance for the ILS approach to runway 30L the crew changed the FMS setup, however, did not replace the ILS frequency.
While on final approach the crew noticed the PAPI lights. The PAPI lights for runway 30L are to the right of the runway and the PAPI lights for runway 30R to the left of the runway (in other words, both sets of PAPIs are between the runways, the distance between the runways is 190 meters only). The crew however assumed, the PAPI's for the left hand runway would be left and the PAPIs for the right hand runway at the right of the runway (not between the runways).
Due to the close proximity of the two runways with just 190 meters between them only one runway is active. The PAPIs for runway 30R were therefore off (tower had switched them off).
The crew thus saw the PAPI's for runway 30L, assumed the PAPI's were to the left of their runway and thus did not detect their error of following the ILS to runway 30R (with the wrong ILS frequency still tuned). The ident (morse code) of the ILS was not checked.
The AIB concluded analysis that there were several weaknesses while performing the flight in:
- Crew Resource Management
- Cockpit Management
- Task Sharing
- lack of ILS Ident SOP
- unfamiliar airport layout
- preflight briefing not performed well
- FMS handling
- ineffective company training for type conversion
The captain had 6,800 hours total having flown Airbusses most of the time, 1700 hours were on ATRs. The first officer had 650 hours total with 450 hours on type. The first officer had been pilot flying but handed control to the captain, then couldn't set the FMS. The captain helped with the FMS but forgot to retune the ILS frequency. Runway edge and approach lights were off. Due to low cloud ceiling the crew saw the runway very late and landed on the wrong runway.
The AIB released, amongst other safety recommendations, a recommendation that all lights of both runways should be operational in night and reduced visibility operations.
Metars:
OITT 101800Z 06008KT 1800 -SN BR SCT010 OVC070 M09/M11 Q1016 A3001 NOSIG=
OITT 101730Z 05010KT 1600 -SN BR SCT010 OVC070 M09/M11 Q1016 A3001=
OITT 101700Z 05010KT 2000 -SN BR SCT010 OVC070 M09/M11 Q1016 A3001 NOSIG=
OITT 101630Z 06012KT 2000 -SN BR SCT010 OVC070 M08/M11 Q1015 A3000=
OITT 101600Z 06010KT 0800 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M08/M11 Q1015 A2998 NOSIG=
OITT 101530Z 07010KT 0800 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M08/M11 Q1014 A2995=
OITT 101500Z 07010KT 0600 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M08/M11 Q1014 A2995 NOSIG=
OITT 101430Z 05010KT 0900 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M08/M10 Q1014 A2995=
OITT 101400Z 05014KT 0900 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M08/M10 Q1014 A2995 NOSIG=
OITT 101330Z 06010KT 0900 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M07/M10 Q1013 A2994=
OITT 101300Z 06008KT 0900 R30/P2000 SN FG SCT010 OVC070 M07/M10 Q1013 A2994 NOSIG=
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 10, 2020
Classification
Incident
Airline
Iran Air
Flight number
IR-779
Departure
Baku, Azerbaijan
Destination
Tabriz, Iran
Aircraft Registration
EP-ITM
Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200
ICAO Type Designator
AT72
Airport ICAO Code
OITT
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Fleet type match
Iran A306 at Tabriz on Oct 23rd 2023, smoke in cockpit and cabin
An Iran Air Airbus A300-600, registration EP-IBA performing flight IR-718 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Tehran Imam Khomeini (Iran), was enroute at FL330…
Fleet type match
Iran A313 near Tehran on Jun 7th 2022, turbulence injures 2
An Iran Air Airbus A310-300, registration EP-IBK performing flight IR-718 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Tehran Imam Khomeini (Iran) with 200 passengers…
Iran F100 near Isfahan on Mar 4th 2021, hijack averted
An Iran Air Fokker 100, registration EP-CFM performing flight IR-334 from Ahwaz to Mashad (Iran) with 63 passengers and 4 crew, was enroute near…
Iran F100 at Tehran on Sep 14th 2016, nose gear collapsed during taxi
An Iran Air Fokker 100, registration EP-CFP performing flight IR-212 from Tehran Mehrabad to Birjan (Iran), was taxiing for departure still on the…
Iran A319 at Tabriz on Oct 7th 2020, landed on wrong runway
An Iran Air Airbus A319-100, registration EP-IEP performing flight IR-449 from Isfahan to Tabriz (Iran) with 97 passengers and 9 crew, was on a…
Newest articles
Luxwing DH8D at Guernsey on Apr 23rd 2024, runway overrun on landing
A Luxwing de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Aurigny Air Services, registration 9H-LWB performing flight GR-609 from London Gatwick,EN to…
Fleet type match
British Airways A388 at Singapore on Apr 22nd 2024, weather radar failure
A British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLED performing flight BA-12 from Singapore (Singapore) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways