Wed, Dec 23, 2015
Watchlist Issue Of Risk Of Collisions On Runways Highlighted By Occurrence At Winnipeg International Airport
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) Watchlist issue of risk of collisions on runways is highlighted in a report released by the TSB from its investigation report (A14C0112) into the August 2014 runway incursion at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were no injuries, and no damage to aircraft or airport property.
On 4 August 2014, the ground controller at the Winnipeg International Airport cleared a WestJet DHC-8 operating as WestJet Encore Ltd. to taxi for departure via Runway 31 and to hold short of Runway 36. The DHC-8 crew acknowledged the clearance to hold short of Runway 36. The tower controller then observed that the DHC-8 had entered the Runway 36 protected area at the intersection of Runway 31. The tower controller then instructed a WestJet Boeing 737, which was on final approach for Runway 36, to conduct a go-around. The Boeing 737 followed the instructions to conduct a go-around, and subsequently landed without further incident.
The TSB investigation found that the hold-short line painted on Runway 31 was significantly degraded, with 123 feet of the line missing. The crew of the DHC-8 was actively looking for the hold-short line as the primary reference for the hold-short position and was slowing the aircraft. They did not see it and stopped in the runway protected area. The investigation also concluded that the daily airport inspections did not identify the degraded condition of the hold-short line, allowing the continued use of the hold-short position. Further, the orientation of the runway holding position signs was optimized for traffic on Runway 31, which likely contributed to the pilots not identifying the hold-short position.
The risk of collisions on runways has been identified as one of the risks to Canada's transportation system and is included on the TSB's 2014 Watchlist. The Board is calling for the implementation of improved procedures and enhanced collision warning systems at Canada's airports.
Following the occurrence, the Winnipeg Airport Authority Inc. (WAA) repainted the degraded hold-short line on Runway 31 and realigned the runway guard lights. The WAA has also incorporated new procedures for return to service inspections and computer-based inspection tracking software that contains checklists and intervals for inspections.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
(Source: TSB news release)
More News
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]