DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

OSG Western Service Area
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Issued: 12/08/2016 1428 (UTC) Effective: 12/09/2016 1200 (UTC)
OSG Western Service Area Letter to Airmen: LTA-OSGW-15
****Expired****

Subject: Wrong Surface Landings and Departures

Cancellation: 12/09/2018 1200 (UTC)

Events in which an aircraft lands or departs on the wrong runway, a taxiway or lands at the wrong airport tend to be among the highest-profile and most dangerous events in aviation. These events have been occurring at an average rate of about 24 per year, increasing to over 60 in 2016.

Notable examples include:

  • Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), where a B737 landed on a parallel taxiway between two parallel runways.
  • Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI), where an A319 correctly read back the runway landing clearance but landed on the parallel runway.
  • McCarran International (LAS), where an A320 was cleared to land runway 19R but landed on runway 19L.

Causal Factors:

  • The common denominator for most wrong surface landings/departures was the lack of situational awareness, with closely-spaced parallel runways, off set parallel runways, or taxiways which run parallel with runway.
  • Wintertime flying conditions, including: 
    1. Sun lower on the horizon.
    2. Snow/water/ice on airport surfaces combined with lower visibility due to storms/fog.
  • Closely-spaced parallel runways, Parallel runways with offset thresholds and a parallel taxiway abeam runway.
  • Not comprehending/following the control instructions of Air Traffic Control (ATC).
  • Controller workload or radar limitations which preclude timely intervention by ATC.

What can pilots do:

  • Familiarize yourself with the airport to the maximum extent possible by reviewing pictures, maps and diagrams of the airport design.
  • Look for offset runway thresholds, parallel runways (especially if closely-spaced), etc.
  • Be familiar with the primary arrival runway.
  • Be cognizant of adjacent or nearby airports, particularly ones with similar runways.
  • Make sure all ATC instructions and clearances are clearly heard and understood. Make sure you give a proper read-back, if unsure, ask ATC to repeat the instructions or clearance again and don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything you feel requires clarification.
  • Confirm that you have correctly identified the destination airport before reporting the airport/runway in sight, especially at night or when weather or environmental conditions might make precise identification more difficult.

Finally: Below are some depictions of what you may encounter during your flight. Remember to LOOK, LISTEN, and FOCUS -- the actions YOU take not only affect your safety, but also the safety of OTHERS.

Links:

Skybrary:  http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Portal:Operational_Issues

FAASTeam:  https://www.faasafety.gov

 

 


Christopher Ramirez
Air Traffic Manager, OSG Western Service Area