Virgin Australia B738 at Adelaide on Apr 11th 2025, insufficient takeoff distance

Last Update: November 25, 2025 / 17:36:34 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Virgin Australia VH-VOL, Boeing 737-800 — Virgin Australia VH-VOL, Boeing 737-800 (Photo credit: Ev Brown / Flickr / License: CC by)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Apr 11, 2025

Classification
Report

Airline
Virgin Australia

Flight number
VA-413

Departure
Adelaide, Australia

Destination
Sydney, Australia

Aircraft Registration
VH-VOL

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800

ICAO Type Designator
B738

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOL performing flight VA-413 from Adelaide,SA to Sydney,NS (Australia), lined up runway 23 via taxiway B2 for departure, taxied to the displaced threshold runway 23 past the Start Of Takeoff line and commenced takeoff after receiving the clearance to takeoff. The crew did not notice anything unusual knowing that the takeoff distance had been shortened. Only at the end of their working day when reviewing the information the crew recognized they had commenced takeoff from the wrong position. The aircraft continued to Sydney without further incident.

The ATSB released their final report into this and 2 other similiar occurrences concluding the probable cause of the total 14 incidents (11 without being listed and included) were:

Contributing factors

- The flight crews of multiple aircraft misidentified the start of runway 23 due to confusing temporary markings and lights. This resulted in several take-offs commencing from the displaced threshold using performance parameters for a longer runway.

- The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 139 Manual of Standards did not recommend or provide standardised options for movement area guidance signs or other visual aids to draw flight crew attention to the start of take-off position, especially those distant from a displaced threshold and not coincident with a taxiway/runway intersection. (Safety issue)

- The initial NOTAM released at the start of the runway works used inconsistent terminology for the runway end, did not refer to the white line marking the start of take-off position, and referred to red runway end lights not visible to pilots departing on runway 23.

- For one of the reported occurrences, the aerodrome controller did not challenge 2 incorrect readbacks of displaced threshold instead of displaced runway end, which likely contributed to the flight crew commencing the take-off from the displaced threshold instead of the start of take-off position.

Other findings

- Proactive action taken by aircraft operators to highlight the start of take-off position and require use of performance data and/or take-off from the D1 intersection where possible, probably reduced the number of occurrences.

- Air traffic control interventions to mitigate the risk of pilot confusion likely reduced the number of occurrences.

The ATSB summarized the sequence of events (this being flight #2 of the report):

At B2 at 0953, the PM advised the ADC that they were ready (for take-off). The flight crew observed a Jetstar Airbus A320 aircraft ahead taxi to the displaced threshold and commence take-off from there, which the captain assessed must be the correct take-off position. After another aircraft landed, the flight crew were cleared to taxi and line up on runway 23. About 80 seconds later, they were cleared for take-off.

After issuing the take-off clearance, the ADC commenced a handover to an oncoming controller. During the handover, the ADC looked out the tower window and was unsure whether the aircraft had commenced the take-off roll. The ADC asked the oncoming controller ‘is Velocity rolling?’. The oncoming controller replied, ‘they’re rolling’, and, assessing that the aircraft was in the take-off roll, no action was needed, and the handover continued.

The flight crew’s normal runway verification procedure included confirming the runway signage or markings with their take-off and landing data card. In this case, there was no intersection at the SOT position and no sign indicating the position or runway number painted on that part of the runway.

The flight crew reported that as the aircraft taxied along the runway at about 30 kt, they missed identifying the briefed change from green centreline to red edge lights, which were not distinct in the bright sunshine, and reported that the displaced threshold was much more prominent. Additionally, they reported that, while the centreline arrows had not been part of their briefing, they seemed to indicate to keep moving forward. The captain recalled setting take-off thrust passing approximately the Delta 1 (D1) taxiway and the recorded flight data showed the take-off go-around (TOGA) button/switch was pressed at the temporary displaced threshold.

The flight crew later reported that the take-off did not look unusual because they knew the runway was short and therefore did not take any action (such as to increase thrust). The flight continued without incident.

At the end of the day’s flying, the flight crew reviewed the documentation and realised they had commenced the take-off from an incorrect position. The captain reported the incident to the Virgin Australia safety team. By that time, Virgin Australia had already issued a safety alert and revised FCON due to another reported incident. The captain assessed using the OPT that there would have been sufficient runway to commence the take-off at the D1 intersection. However, Virgin Australia advised that having pressed TOGA at the displaced threshold, there would probably have been insufficient runway remaining to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway had the flight crew been required to abort the take-off near V1.

The ATSB further stated without listing the flights involved: "Two occurrences during daylight hours on 2 April, involving Virgin Australia and Qantas aircraft, were identified via FDAP. In both instances the aircraft commenced the take-off from the displaced threshold, while using performance data based on the SOT position."

The ATSB analysed:

From 31 March to 20 May 2025, taxiway construction works were carried out at Adelaide Airport, South Australia. To accommodate the works, the runway 23 start of take-off (SOT) position was temporarily displaced 650 m beyond the normal runway start, with the runway 23 landing threshold displaced a further 508 m beyond the temporary SOT position.

Subsequently, 13 occurrences were identified in which aircraft commenced the take-off from the displaced threshold, instead of the intended SOT position. As the flight crews had used take-off performance data based on commencing the take-off from the SOT position, this increased the risk of a runway overrun. The occurrences took place during both daylight and night-time hours, and involved several aircraft operators, with the first incident on 31 March 2025 and the last on 20 April 2025. Several more occurrences were prevented either by intervention from air traffic control (ATC), or by flight crews contacting ATC or their flight operations support personnel prior to departure to confirm the correct SOT position.

This analysis will discuss the effectiveness of the works information provided to flight crews, including aerodrome works lights and markings, and the required aerodrome standards. It will also review the contents of the NOTAM and its effectiveness in describing the SOT position. ATC phraseology will also be discussed, along with strategies used by controllers to assist pilots in identifying the SOT position. Finally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) review of the method of working plan and the timeliness of that review will be analysed.

Lights and markings confusion

The 2 flight crews interviewed by the ATSB had read the available documentation regarding the aerodrome works and received the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) prior to taxiing to depart from runway 23. They had also identified the works and displaced threshold as threats, and were aware there were different runway positions for landing and take-off. Additionally, they had landed on the runway less than 35 minutes earlier, having successfully identified the displaced threshold. The flight crews also noted a reminder in the operational documentation not to commence the take-off before passing the runway end.

However, having received clearance to enter the runway at the B2 holding point and taxi to the displaced runway end (SOT position), the flight crews did not identify the white line indicating the SOT position as stated in the revised NOTAM (and elsewhere). As it was a bright sunny day, they also did not see the start of red edge lights (specified to be visual cues for night and low visibility conditions), which commenced at the SOT position. As a result, the flight crew taxied to the displaced threshold before commencing the take-off.

In one of the incidents, this was also likely influenced by observing an aircraft ahead commence the take-off from the displaced threshold. The flight crews later realised the error and reported the occurrences.

For the 11 other occurrences, identified by aircraft operators’ analysis of their recorded flight data, it was unknown how much of the related documentation flight crews had been reviewed, or whether they were aware that the aircraft had departed from the incorrect position. As the ATIS did not contain any information relating to the SOT position, other than a difference between the stated take-off and landing distances, it did not offer a means to correct an incorrect understanding of its location.

Given the high number of occurrences, both day and night involving different aircraft operators, and the combined significant experience of the involved flight crews, the visual cues for the SOT position were almost certainly confusing.

By day, the white arrows and threshold lights were more prominent than the white runway end line designating the SOT position. However, there was no mention in the documentation of the white arrows, which pointed towards the displaced (landing) threshold. Flight crews found that these indicated to continue moving forwards before commencing take-off.

The red runway edge lights were illuminated day and night from 4 April 2025, but not readily visible in daylight. At night, the start of runway being a transition from green taxiway lighting to red edge lighting was insufficiently distinct. Additionally, being red as they were intended to indicate to pilots of landing aircraft not to land before the displaced threshold, the edge lights did not intuitively indicate the start position for take-off (or 'go').

The runway end line, while perceptible, did not identify the line as an indication of the start of runway position to many of the flight crew. It also had the same characteristics as the white displaced threshold line.

In addition to the reported occurrences and those identified by aircraft operators’ analysis of their flight data, many pilots queried ATC as to the correct SOT position, taxied very slowly to identify the SOT, and some were advised by ATC when they had missed the SOT and obtained clearances to re-taxi to the runway. Having observed aircraft pass the SOT position at slow speed, some controllers also reiterated the take-off clearance.

While well intended, it was ineffective at alerting crews that they had commenced the take-off beyond the position used for take-off performance calculations.

Although the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 139 Manual of Standards (MOS) required movement area guidance signs (MAGS) showing the take-off run available from an intersection, this did not apply for a temporary SOT position that was not at a taxiway or runway intersection.

In the absence of any signage, holding point or runway/taxiway intersection at the SOT, there was no reference for flight crews to crosscheck the aircraft’s position before commencing the take-off, in accordance with standard operating procedures. To mitigate this absence of MAGS during aerodrome works with reduced runway length, based on research conducted by the Airport Construction Advisory Council, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced black and orange construction signage, one of which stated the take-off run available from the SOT position.

The ineffective visual cues resulted in multiple take-offs from the displaced threshold instead of runway start by flight crew. These resulted in reduced safety margins and increased the risk of a runway overrun. In at least 3 of these occurrences, there would likely have been insufficient runway remaining had the flight crew been required to reject the take-off near the decision speed (V1).

...

NOTAM clarity

The initial NOTAM released at the start of the runway works (and repeated in the Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP SUP) stated that the ‘Runway 23 displaced runway end will be marked with 3 red lights each side of runway 23’. This was referring to what is defined as the reciprocal (05) runway end, not the collocated SOT position. While the AIP included the abbreviation ‘SOT’ as the start of take-off run available (TORA) position, it was not well known, nor an international standard.

Being unidirectional, the red runway end lights were visible to aircraft landing on runway 05, but not visible to aircraft departing on runway 23. As such, the initial NOTAM wording did not assist clear identification of the SOT position for runway 23 and used inconsistent terminology for the runway end. Recognising that the NOTAM was not the sole source of information, it probably contributed to flight crew confusion and the subsequent occurrences.

The NOTAM text was included in the method of working plan (MOWP) and referred to the MOWP for more detailed information. The AIP SUP was published as required for more complex information. Although one reference to the runway 23 end was amended to the runway 23 SOT in the AIP SUP and MOWP before works commenced, that was not reflected in the NOTAM until after the works commenced and pilot confusion had occurred. The amended version of the NOTAM gave the white line and red edge lights as cues for the start of take-off, but it was not sufficient to prevent further occurrences.

In general, NOTAMs present summary abbreviated information and do not distinguish between operationally critical and less relevant information for flight crew. The works NOTAM had typical limitations including a large block of capitalised text with no prioritisation of key information and no obvious way to identify key information for aircraft departing on runway 23.

Air traffic control phraseology and intervention

Prior to commencement of the works, based on the information provided by AAL, Adelaide Tower ATC issued a temporary local instruction with suggested phraseology for controllers to clear flight crew to line up at, or take-off from, the ‘displaced runway end’.

However, flight crews found the use of 'displaced' for both the landing threshold and runway end confusing.

On the first night of the works, the aerodrome controller did not challenge the flight crew of a Qatar Airbus A350 incorrectly reading back ‘displaced threshold’ twice, when issued instructions about the ‘displaced runway end’. This likely contributed to the aircraft taking off from the displaced threshold instead of the SOT position.

In the absence of standard phraseology, individual controllers used different approaches and phrases to assist pilots identify the correct SOT position. Controllers raised the issues through available channels, including:

- advising AAL that pilots found it confusing
- suggesting amendments to the NOTAM
- suggesting MAGS be installed at the SOT position.

Additionally, controllers took action to mitigate the risk of pilot confusion, such as:

- leaving the runway lights on day and night
- using plain English to communicate the visual cues (white line) for the SOT position
- sequencing aircraft movements in anticipation of slower taxi and more time occupying the runway.

The NOTAM released just prior to beginning of works:
E) THR RWY 23 DISPLACED 1158M
REFER METHOD OF WORKING PLAN YPAD 25/03 AMENDMENT 2 RWY 23 THR DISP 1158M MARKED BY 5 GREEN LGTS EACH SIDE OF RWY WITH RTILS RWY 23 END DISP 650M MARKED BY 3 RED LGTS EACH SIDE OF RWY RWY 23 PAPI 3 DEG 58FT AVBL RWY 23 HIAL U/S RWY 23 DISP RWY END AVBL TAXI DEPARTURE VIA GREEN TWY CL LGT RWY 23 DISP RWY END AVBL TAXI ARRIVAL VIA ALTERNATE YELLOW AND GREEN TWY CL LGT RWY 23 TEMPO TOUCHDOWN MARKING LOCATED 450M DISPLACED THR IDENTIFIED BY TWO ROWS OF 4 WHITE GABLE MARKERS AND 6 GREEN LOW INTENSITY LGTS LEFT SIDE OF RWY TWY B2, D2 HOLD POINT TEMPO REPOSITIONED ACFT LTD NOT ABV SF340 HOLD TWY A6 AT TWY K INTERSECTION ACFT LTD NOT ABV A321/A320 B737 HOLD TWY A6 AT TWY L INTERSECTION DECLARED DISTANCE AND GRADIENT CHANGES
RWY TORA TODA ASDA LDA
05 2450 2450(2) 2510 2298
23 2450 2554(2.63) 2510 1942
SUPPLEMENTARY TKOF DISTANCES
RWY05- 2273(1.6) 2412(1.9)
RWY23- 2216(1.6) 2379(1.9) 2475(2.2) 2533(2.5)