Algerie B738 and KLM Cityhopper E175 at Lyon on Sep 5th 2022, loss of separation on runway

Last Update: November 1, 2023 / 20:05:08 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article

Photo of Air Algerie 7T-VKR, Boeing 737-800 — Air Algerie 7T-VKR, Boeing 737-800 (Photo credit: Alec BHX/KKC / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Sep 5, 2022

Classification
Incident

Airline
Air Algerie

Flight number
AH-1080

Departure
Oran, Algeria

Destination
Lyon, France

Aircraft Registration
7T-VKR

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800

ICAO Type Designator
B738

Airport
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, Lyon

Airport ICAO Code
LFLL

An Air Algerie Boeing 737-800, registration 7T-VKR performing flight AH-1080 from Oran (Algeria) to Lyon (France), was on final approach to Lyon's runway 17L at 10:18L (08:18Z).

A KLM Cityhopper ERJ-175, registration PH-EXH performing flight KL-1414 from Lyon (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), lined up runway 17L for departure and accelerated for takeoff at the same time.

The French BEA reported the separation between the two aircraft on the runway was lost. The occurrence was rated an incident and is being investigated by the BEA.

According to ADS-B Data AH-1080 touched down in the touch down zone of the runway when the departing KL-1414 just crossed the runway end, there were about 1900 meters/1.03nm between the aircraft at that point.

On Oct 31st 2023 the French BEA released their final report in French only (an English version to be expected in due time) stating as conclusion scenario that the controller had asked the departing Embraer whether they were ready for an immediate takeoff, which the crew affirmed, then the controller cleared the Embraer to line up and wait, however, did not clear for immediate takeoff surprising both the Embraer and Boeing crews. A takeoff clearance was subsequently issued, then the arriving Boeing was told to expect a late landing clearance. The controller cleared the arriving Boeing to land at a height of 60 feet AGL and about 200 meters short of the runway threshold, when the controller observed the nose gear of the Embraer lifting off the runway surface. The Embraer at that point was still 700 meters short of the runway end constituting a loss of separation on the runway as the Embraer should have crossed the runway end already.

The report engages in lengthy conclusions about why guidance for controllers to optimize runway usage is missing despite recommendations released in 2020 by the BEA, but does not seem to state an actual cause of the incident beyond the scenario described above. The actual conclusions together with the analysis will be added when the English version of this final report has been released.

Metars:
LFLL 050930Z 17015KT 9999 FEW036 27/16 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050900Z 17011KT 140V200 9999 FEW036 26/16 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050830Z 17014KT 9999 FEW035 26/17 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050800Z 17010KT 130V200 CAVOK 25/18 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050730Z 15010KT CAVOK 24/19 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050700Z 14010KT CAVOK 23/19 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050630Z 14009KT CAVOK 22/19 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050600Z 13008KT CAVOK 22/19 Q1020 NOSIG=
LFLL 050535Z 13007KT CAVOK 21/19 Q1020 NOSIG=