Korean A332 at Seoul on May 5th 2016, runway incursion forces SQ-16 to reject takeoff

Last Update: May 18, 2016 / 16:15:06 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article

Photo of Korean Airlines HL8276, Airbus A330-200 — Korean Airlines HL8276, Airbus A330-200 (Photo credit: Alec@B92 / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 5, 2016

Classification
Incident

Cause
Runway incursion

Airline
Korean Airlines

Flight number
KE-929

Departure
Seoul Incheon, South Korea

Destination
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Aircraft Registration
HL8276

Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-200

ICAO Type Designator
A332

Airport
Incheon International Airport, Seoul

Airport ICAO Code
RKSI

A Korean Air Airbus A330-200, registration HL8276 performing flight KE-929 from Seoul Incheon (South Korea) to Saint Petersburg (Russia), was taxiing for departure from one of the runways 15 but unexpectedly joined taxiway G crossing runway 15R at the end and taxied past the hold short line.

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration 9V-SWP performing flight SQ-16 from Seoul Incheon (South Korea) to San Francisco,CA (USA), had been cleared for takeoff from runway 15R and was accelerating for takeoff at 18:07L (09:07Z) when tower cancelled the takeoff clearance due to the Korean Airlines aircraft taxiing onto the runway. The Singapore crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 145 knots over ground) and slowed the aircraft to taxi speed about 2100 meters/6900 feet down the runway, about 1560 meters/5100 feet short of intersection with taxiway G, vacated the runway via taxiway C2 and joined taxiway A to return to the holding point runway 15R.

The Korean A330 was subsequently instructed to taxi onto runway 33L/15R and turn off the runway again via the next taxiway B1 and joined taxiway B to taxi to holding point runway 15R but subsequently returned to the apron.

While 9V-SWP attempted to return to the holding point runway 15R via taxiway A a number of main tyres deflated about 270 meters from the runway threshold and disabled the aircraft.

Flight KE-929 departed Incheon about 100 minutes after the runway incursion.

Following repairs 9V-SWP was able to depart for flight SQ-9016 (SQ-16 delayed) about 19 hours after rejecting takeoff.

On May 18th 2016 The Aviation Herald received following Preliminary Findings:

SQ016 was cleared for take-off from Runway 15R. During the take-off roll, ICN tower instructed SQ016 to reject the take-off due to a potential runway incursion by a Korean Airlines A330.

The takeoff was rejected and after the crew had assessed the situation, they were instructed by ATC to taxi to a holding area for further instructions. While on the parallel TWY B, crew assessed the situation and aircraft systems. EICAS messages “BRAKE TEMP SYS” and “TIRE PRESS’ were annunciated.

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

During the take-off roll, the tower instructed SQ016 to reject the take-off. The first transmission by ATC was not clear and the second transmission used some non-standard phraseology. Upon clarification by the PM, ATC confirmed that SQ016 was being asked to reject the takeoff. The Commander (PF) aborted the takeoff. QAR data indicates that the ground speed at the time of the RTO was 139kts (CAS 146kts). Reverse thrust was not used during the maneuver as in the crew’s opinion, the rate of deceleration was high and there was sufficient runway remaining.

A Korean Airlines A330 had mistakenly continued into TWY G, which leads into the opposite end of RWY15R, instead of turning left on TWY B.

SQ016 came to a halt before the B3 high-speed turnoff. Crew assessed the aircraft condition and informed ATC that they are able to taxi off the runway. The crew were given taxi instructions to a holding area while awaiting a subsequent takeoff. While on the parallel TWY B, EICAS messages “BRAKE TEMP SYS” and “TIRE PRESS’ were annunciated. Some of the wheels displayed a loss of pressure.

The aircraft was stopped and assistance was sought from the ATC and ICN station staff. The ground engineer conducted a visual inspection. In total, seven tires were deflated as a consequence of which the aircraft was unable to be towed to the parking gate.

Passengers were deplaned on the taxiway by means of mobile stairs and they were transported to the terminal by bus. Appropriate PA’s were made to reassure the crew and passengers. Eight tyres and three brakes were eventually replaced. The delayed flight SQ9016 departed for SFO after a 19:18 hrs delay.

FOLLOW UP ACTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNT

- Crew are typically trained to conduct RTOs during simulator training and checks for technical reasons like ENG Fail etc. This event is a good reminder that an RTO can also be a result of external events i.e. runway incursion.

- Distraction and/or mis-communication can affect the crew’s reaction time and may delay initiation of the RTO.

- Deviating from a standard maneuver may have unintended consequences – i.e. not selecting reverse thrust resulting in spoilers not being deployed.

Metars:
RKSI 051100Z 16009KT 9999 BKN040 OVC100 19/10 Q1009 NOSIG
RKSI 051030Z 16010KT 9999 -RA BKN040 OVC080 19/10 Q1009 NOSIG
RKSI 051000Z 18005KT 150V220 9999 -RA BKN040 OVC080 19/08 Q1010 NOSIG
RKSI 050930Z 16008KT 9999 -RA SCT040 OVC110 20/03 Q1010 NOSIG
RKSI 050900Z 16007KT 140V210 9999 FEW040 BKN180 21/01 Q1010 NOSIG
RKSI 050830Z 16008KT CAVOK 22/01 Q1010 NOSIG
RKSI 050800Z 36003KT CAVOK 22/M00 Q1011 NOSIG
RKSI 050730Z 23008KT 210V280 CAVOK 22/02 Q1011 NOSIG
RKSI 050700Z 24010KT CAVOK 22/02 Q1012 NOSIG
RKSI 050630Z 20008KT CAVOK 24/M01 Q1012 NOSIG
RKSI 050600Z 18009KT 150V210 CAVOK 24/M02 Q1012 NOSIG