Air Nostrum CRJ2 at Menorca on Apr 9th 2011, landed on closed runway
Last Update: November 20, 2012 / 17:23:25 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Apr 9, 2011
Classification
Incident
Airline
Air Nostrum
Aircraft Type
Canadair Corporate Jetliner
ICAO Type Designator
CRJ2
The incident resulted from the crewÂ’s entering of the data for the closed runway, 01L, into the FMS computer by mistake, despite having information in the flight dispatch documentation warning that the runway normally in use was closed. The aircraft was guided to runway 01L and the crew, not noticing the runway-closed markings, landed on it.
The CIAIAC reported the first officer (41, ATPL, 5,642 hours total, 5,294 hours on type) was pilot flying, the captain (46, ATPL, 11,391 hours total, 8,267 hours on type) was pilot monitoring for the sector. ATIS had announced runway 19L was in use. The aircraft was cleared direct to Menorca VOR. Once in contact with Menorca Airport the crew requested wind information receiving reply indicating variable winds at 4 knots and requested to approach runway 01 instead of 19 (editorial note: watch the omission of L/R identifiers on both runway identifiers!) in order to shorten their approach path. Tower cleared the aircraft to land on runway 01R (editorial note: watch the R identifier attached!), the crew read back runway 01R correctly, but mentally recorded landing clearance for runway 01 (L/R omitted) and entered runway 01L into their FMS.
At the time of the final approach two workers were on the runway painting the runway edge markers, a vehicle was parked besides the runway. The aircraft touched down and rolled out safely, upon being instructed to vacate to the right and seeing barriers across the exit indicating "runway closed" the crew realised their mistake. After a signal man had removed the barrier the aircraft taxied to the apron without further incident.
The crew provided testimony they had been cleared to land on runway 01L and believed they had read back runway 01L as well, when on short final they did not observe any obstacles on the runway and saw no runway closed markings. Only after roll out upon vacating the runway they realised upon seeing the "runway closed" barriers on the runway exit, they had landed on the closed runway. The crew complained that no closed runway markers had been visible on the runway. According to crew testimony the controller had stated in post incident radio transmissions that it was difficult to determine from his point of view whether the aircraft was approaching runway 01L or 01R until the very last moments and he had decided to not force them go-around (the CIAIAC reported ATC recordings had not recorded any such communication).
The CIAIAC reported that the runway had been marked closed with 10 white crosses at the thresholds and along the runway. NOTAMs had been released indicating that runway 01L had been closed for renovation works and runway 01R was in use. The AIP states, that runway 01R used only for contingencies, a NOTAM would be released prior to putting runway 01R into use, runway 01R is normally used just as a taxiway.
The CIAIAC analysed that the crew was in possession of all relevant NOTAMs and had complete information about runway 01L/19R being closed. ATC recordings revealed that contrary to the crews' believes the crew had requested runway 01, tower had cleared them to land on runway 01R and the crew had acknowledged the clearance to land on runway 01R.
The runway closed markings were in compliance with ICAO regulations. Weather conditions were CAVOK and there was no limitation to see the runway closed markings.
One safety recommendation was issued to Air Nostrum as result of the investigation.
Relevant NOTAMs:
FROM 08/04/2011 09:19 UNTIL 14/04/2011 05:00 B2637/11 REF SUP 23/10 RWY01L/19R CLSD. RWY01R/19L OPERATIONAL FM 11-FEB-11 0600
FROM 08/04/2011 09:29 UNTIL 14/04/2011 05:00 E1280/11 RWY01L ILS/DME CAT I OUT OF SERVICE
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Apr 9, 2011
Classification
Incident
Airline
Air Nostrum
Aircraft Type
Canadair Corporate Jetliner
ICAO Type Designator
CRJ2
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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