Published Bimonthly for Users of Michigan’s Air Transportation System

Calendar VOLUME 32 NUMBER5 FIFTH ISSUE 1999 NOVEMBER

4 Lansing, Capital City Airport, Bureau Young artists from across Michigan are in- of Aeronautics Auditorium. Michigan vited to enter the Year 2000 International Aviation Art Contest. Sponsored at the state Aeronautics Commission Meeting . Call level by the Michigan Department of Trans- 517-335-9943. portation, Bureau of Aeronautics, the contest seeks to encourage young people to become 17 Pontiac, Okland County Commisioners familiar with the many facets of aviation and Auditorium. Pilot Safety Seminar with spe- aeronautics. Other sponsors include the Na- cial guest speaker Mr. Frank Gattolin. Mr. tional Aeronautic Association, the National Gattolin is presently a safety investigator for Association of State Aviation Officials, the the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, and the holds a Commercial Pilot, CFI and AIGI certifi- Fédération Aéronautic Internationale. cates with 11,000 hours flight experience. The theme for this year’s contest is “Flight Call 517-335-9915. Into The Future.” Competition is open to stu- dents age 6-17 and will be judged in three separate age categories, with first, second, John Engler, Governor and third place winners selected in each. MICHIGAN AERONAUTICS COMMISSION First-place winners in each category will ad- vance to the national competition in Wash- Alice J. Gustafson, Chair -Pontiac ington, D.C. National winners will compete Arnold P. Saviano, ViceChair -Harbor Springs with entries from other nations in late spring. John K. Boerema, Grand Rapids Lowell E. Kraft, Pigeon Joseph M. Pietro, Ishpeming Entries must be received by February 4, 2000. For a copy of the contest brochure, James R. DeSana, Director which includes rules and an entry form, please Michigan Department of Transportation write to Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics, Attn: Capt. Steven Herner Aviation Art Contest, 2700 E. Airport Service Michigan State Police Dr., Lansing, Michigan 48906-2160, or call 517- Brigadier General Ronald L. Seely 335-9977. Complete contest details are also Michigan Department of Military Affairs available on the Bureau of Aeronautics website Guy Gordon at www.mdot.state.mi.us/aero/. Michigan Department of Natural Resources William E. Gehman, Director Michigan Aeronautics Commission Barbara Burris Executive Assistant to the Commission Kenneth Schaschl - Editor MDOT Specialized Technology/Graphics - Graphic Design Coming Soon to Your Favorite Airport by Philip Tarlalone FIFTH ISSUE 1999 PRSRTD STD Whether you fly a J-3 Cub in and out of grass strips, or maneuver a 747 through the maze at Detroit Metro, you will U.S.POSTAGE 22,000 copies printed likely experience a runway incursion sometime during your flying career. The National Transportation Safety Board Total cost $5460.40 Cost per issue $.2482 P A I D (NTSB) first addressed the runway incursion issue in a 1986 safety study. Subsequently, in 1990, they placed runway Lansing, Michigan incursions at the top of the “Most Wanted Aviation Safety Improvements” list. It has remained in that spot every year since. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION, BUREAU OF AERONAUTICS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Permit No. 1200 From 1990, five fatal collisions and several near misses (at both towered and nontowered airports) have highlighted 2700 E. Airport Service Drive Lansing, Michigan 48906-2160 Telephone; 517/ 335-9283 the seriousness of runway incursions. Two recent incidents show the potential devastation associated with the issue. The www.mdot.state.mi.us/aero/ first occurred on April 1, 1999 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The second incident occurred on June 28, 1999 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Both incursions occurred when an aircraft taxied onto an active runway while another aircraft was departing. The FAA, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and other aviation groups are addressing the escalating runway incursion problem. This two-part article will examine some human factors associated with runway incursions, and present some prevention strategies to maintain safety during ground operations. Defining the Problem Aircraft entering active runways without authorization (runway transgressions), or making other safety-related errors, are surface incidents. Most surface incidents usually end with embarrassment and a “scolding” by air traffic control (ATC). A runway incursion, however, is a surface incident that creates a traffic conflict–a go-around, aborted takeoff, or, in the worst case, a high-speed collision. Unlike a surface incident, an incursion usually leads to an FAA enforcement action. Continued on Page 4 Acciden Reports COMMISSION ACTION Accident Reports are METAR 262010Z VRB06KT 7SM OVC250 28/22 A2970. Accident reprinted from Federal Aviation FEW047 30/19 A2988. Accident Report: Witnesses reported the Administration (FAA), National Report: Aircraft spun around aircraft climbed to about 150 to Transportation Safety Board after landing collapsing the main 250 feet above ground level, clear- (NTSB), or Police reports and are landing gear. ing a 90 foot high power line. The he Michigan Aeronau- HOLLAND ST. IGNACE for information only. Michigan T aircraft then went into a steep left tics Commission met in Iron Aviation does not attest to the JULY Mackinac County Airport - Mountain on July 15, 1999. Tulip City Airport - an accuracy of these reports. We do not bank and impacted the ground in an allocation of $165,000 for 11 Hubbard Lake, C150, Type of During the meeting, commis- allocation of $140,000 for an determine the cause of accidents; a steep nose down attitude. design work on a wetland Flight Unknown, injuries: fatal; sioners approved a special environmental assessment that is left to NTSB and FAA mitigation project. The pro- damage: destroyed, WX: METAR AUGUST proclamation in honor of avia- and for a cost-benefit analy- investigators. tion pioneer, Mario Fontana, sis for a proposed future posed budget consists of KAPN 111854Z VRB06KT 10SM 13 Paw Paw, PA28, business who died in December 1998. In runway extension project. $148,500 federal, $8,250 state, MAY CLR 24/11 A3021 RMK A02 SLP2 flight, injuries: 4 fatal; aircraft other action, commission mem- The proposed budget consists and $8,250 local funds. 28 Kalamazoo/Battle Creek In- Accident Report: Witnesses damage: destroyed, Wx: METAR of $126,000 federal, $7,000 bers approved funding totaling SAULT STE. MARIE ternational Airport, C210N, reported seeing the airplane flying KAZO 131453Z 25009KT 9SM $1.7 million for eleven airport state, and $7,000 local funds. pleasure flight, injuries: none; between 50 and 200 feet above the OVC013 23/21 A2969. Accident improvement projects. LAPEER Chippewa County Inter- aircraft damage: substantial, surface of a lake when it began a Report: The aircraft was national Airport - an Wx: VFR. Accident Report: Air- steep climb. Witnesses reported destroyed when it experienced an Some projects have federal, Dupont-Lapeer Airport - allocation of $400,000 for pur- state, and local funding, while craft touched down half way that the airplane rolled to the left in-flight breakup prior to impact- an allocation of $240,000 for chase of an airport rescue and down Runway 27, at which point and descended in a steep nose ing the ground about 3 miles south others are funded from state land acquisition. The pro- firefighting vehicle. The pro- the pilot elected to perform a down attitude until it collided of Paw Paw, Michigan. The out- and/or local sources alone. posed budget consists of posed budget consists of Commission approval for $216,000 federal and $24,000 $360,000 federal, $20,000 go-around. The aircraft overran with the ground west of the lake's board section of the right wing federally funded projects au- local funds. state, and $20,000 local funds. Runway 27 impacting the airport shoreline. and empennage were located thorizes state participation, permiter fence and a vehicle that 16 Oakland/Troy, C411, business approximately 0.5 miles north of subject to issuance of a federal NILES ZEELAND was southbound on a north-south flight, injuries: none; damage: sub- the main wreckage. grant. Federal and state road. It finally impacted a second dollars for airport develop- Jerry Tyler Memorial Air- Ottawa Executive Airport - stantial, WX: METAR KDET 17 Harsens Island, PA28, plea- port - an allocation of $35,000 an allocation of $2,000 to fence located along west side of 162245Z 24016KT 5SM HZ sure flight, injuries: none; aircraft ment are primarily from the road. restricted, user generated for design work for future install lights on a communi- FEW050 33/16 A3005. Accident damage: substantial, Wx: METAR funds. The primary sources of taxiway and apron rehabilita- cation tower. The proposed JUNE Report: Started left engine nor- KPHN 172100Z AUTO tion and for the first phase of budget consists of $1,800 revenue are aviation fuel and 7 Drummond Island, PA-28, mally, then started right engine. 27006G14KT 10SM SCT065 passenger taxes, as well as air- an approach protection plan. state and $200 local funds. Right engine exploded. Aircraft 28/17 A2993. Accident Report: The The proposed budget consists pleasure/instructional flight, craft registration fees. was evacuated. aircraft reportedly experienced a of $31,500 federal, $1,750 injuries: 3 fatal; aircraft damage: loss of engine power immediately Following are approved state, and $1,750 local funds. LOAN destroyed, Wx: VFR. Accident 18 Oakland/Troy, C310, pleasure projects: Report: Aircraft departed Rwy flight, injuries: none; damage: sub- after takeoff. The pilot elected to PONTIAC HART-SHELBY 26 and impacted trees and stantial, WX: METAR KPTK land on the remaining runway. GRANTS Oakland County Interna- terrain just off the depatrure end 182153Z VRB05KT 7SM FEW036 The aircraft ran off the end of the Oceana County Airport - runway striking a levee and com- EVART tional Airport - an allocation a loan of $15,000 in state of the runway. A witness reported BKN080 BKN200 28/21. Accident ing to rest in a pond. of $450,000 for a master plan funds to supplement a previ- seeing the aircaft just above the Report: Aircraft landed gear up. Evart Municipal Airport - update and to acquire a snow trees in a shallow left bank and an allocation of $25,000 for wet- ously approved airport 20 Greenville, C172, instruc- SEPTEMBER removal vehicle. The pro- expansion project. gradually descending. Another land monitoring. The proposed posed budget consists of tional flight, injuries: unknown; 10 Owosso, Experimental, plea- budget consists of $22,500 state witness stated that the aircraft damage: substantial, WX: VFR. $405,000 federal, $22,500 was approximately 200 yards sure flight, injuries: fatal; aircraft and $2,500 local funds. state, and $22,500 local funds. Accident Report: A student pilot, damage: destroyed, WX: VFR. down the runway and had not lost control of aircraft on landing. GROSSE ILE Accident Report: The aircraft ROMEO lifted off. Witness also stated the It veered off runway and struck winds were over 20 knots and departed Owosso Community Air- Grosse Ile Municipal Airport - Romeo State Airport - an the segmented circle around the port on runway 28 and was an allocation of $46,500 for gusting. allocation of $200,000 to wind tee. returning to the airport due to improvements to the airport acquire land for approach 26 Kalamazoo/Battle Creek In- 31 Marine City, BE90, pleasure engine problems. Witness indicated drainage system. The proposed protection. The proposed ternational Airport, B75, plea- budget consists of $23,250 state flight, injuries: 10 fatal; aircraft the airplane was trailing a whitish- budget consists entirely of sure flight, injuries: none; dam- damage: destroyed, Wx: KMTC gray smoke. The aircraft crashed on and $23,250 local funds. state funds. age: substantial, WX:KAZO 311155Z 20010KT 10SM SCT150 short final to runway 10. 7 2 Continued from page 5 In another scenario, ATC For the pilots these may include training must be completed. Stu- instructs you to “taxi into position completing checklists or contacting dent pilots may not be issued a and hold.” While you are holding their base of operations; the con- LAHSO clearance. In addition, an in position, the controller issues trollers may be on the phone, air carrier may not be issued a you additional departure instruc- initiating hand-offs, or just handling clearance to land or depart when a tions. You read back the instructions too many aircraft. non air carrier is landing to hold and begin your takeoff roll. Once short of the air carrier’s runway. again, you have committed a run- Land and Hold Short Operations way transgression. You may not (LAHSO) The pilot in command (PIC) is expected to decline a LAHSO clear- depart until you hear “cleared for In the last few years Land and takeoff.” ance if it will compromise safety. The Bureau of Aeronautics Mesaba Airlines. The agreement being dropped by many airlines. Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) Once accepted, a pilot must com- Both scenarios are examples of have become one of the hottest ply with a clearance unless a and Western Michigan Univer- will put WMU graduates on a Industry-wide there were 14,143 expectation bias. The latter issues in aviation. On April 11, rejected landing is necessary. If a sity (WMU) have entered into a fast track to being hired as new pilot jobs last year. This year, example was the catalyst for the 1997, the FAA created LAHSO, landing is not assured within one- unique and innovative partner- Mesaba pilots. Under terms of the total is forecast to be 15,000. which expanded and replaced SOIR March 1977 accident at North- third of the runway (or 3,000 feet, ship to operate the Romeo State the agreement, Mesaba will con- These statistics are from Atlanta- Tenerife in the Canary Islands–the (Simultaneous Operations on Inter- whichever is less) a go-around secting Runways). Designed to Airport. WMU’s internationally- sider WMU graduates for em- based AIR, Inc., which tracks pilot worst aviation disaster in history. must be initiated. In the event of a recognized College of Aviation ployment with fewer flight hours hiring trends and offers consulting The pilots of a fully loaded 747, increase airport capacity, SOIR had rejected landing, the pilot must has assumed management re- holding in position in dense fog, been an air traffic control tool since maintain safe separation from the than for other applicants. This services to aspiring airline pilots. 1968. Controllers used SOIR exclu- sponsibilities at the stated- streamlining of its requirements just received their instrument other traffic and promptly notify Two Bureau of Aeronautics departure instructions and imme- sively for operations on two ATC. owned airport. The partnership was agreed to by the airline af- diately began their takeoff roll. intersecting runways. LAHSO, will result in increased services ter a careful review of the staff members have received spe- Subsequently, the aircraft collided however, includes holding short of Obviously, pilots participating cial recognition for their efforts in intersecting runways, taxiways, in LAHSO must have a high level at the airport, increased oppor- university’s aviation program with another fully loaded 747 that tunities for WMU students, and and curriculum. This is WMU’s establishing an airport rescue and was taxiing on the same runway. predetermined points, or approach of situational awareness and con- and departure flight paths. fidence in their skills. (Blind faith an economic and efficient way of first agreement with a domestic firefighting training facility to Of the 644 people on board the two serve airports throughout Michi- aircraft, only 61 survived. in the skills of the other participat- operating the airport. The air- airline. The college already trains Although the FAA designed ing pilot is an unwritten gan. Oliver House, Airports Divi- LAHSO as a method to maintain port has been owned by the state pilots for British Airways, Aer Readback/Hearback assumption.) Even with experi- since November 1998, when it Lingus, and Emirates Airlines. sion Administrator and Ronald system efficiency and enhance enced pilots, the potential for “Readback/hearback” errors Lebbon, Project Engineer were safety, many pilots view it as runway incursions is always was purchased as part of the Bu- are a combination of expectation On September 26, 1999, air- honored by Kellogg Community potentially dangerous. In practice, present. Once committed to land, reau of Aeronautics’ airport pres- bias and communication errors. In College, which is home to the Great two aircraft are cleared to use in- several things could still go wrong. ervation program. line operations at the Marquette an ideal situation, the controller is- tersecting runways simultaneously. The aircraft may float, bounce, or County Airport moved to the Lakes Fire Training Institute. A key sues a clearance, the pilot reads it One aircraft is cleared to land with miss the intended landing point. The college will provide a Sawyer Airport in Gwinn. A day- component of the facility is a mo- back, and the controller acknowl- a restriction to hold short of a If a pilot becomes confused about professional, full-time airport long airport dedication program bile aircraft firefighting simulator. edges (“hears back”) the readback. designated point on the runway. At where the hold short point is, the Errors begin to appear when the manager who will supervise two on September 25 marked the of- the same time, another aircraft is chances for an incursion increase On October 1, 1959 six mem- airport gets busy and work loads student intern managers each se- ficial transfer of nearly all flight cleared to take off or land on an dramatically. bers of the Michigan Air National increase. For instance, a pilot may intersecting runway. The two mester. The interns are upper- operations to Sawyer. The expect a taxi clearance to runway aircraft are essentially on a collision A deceivingly-simple landing level students in the college’s county airport, which has been Guard formed MANG AERO 10R but receives a clearance for 10L course. LAHSO issues have procedure can become very airport operations management sold, will remain open to general CLUB based at Detroit Metro instead. Because of a preconceived become so volatile that the Air Line exciting when a hold short require- degree program. WMU will also aviation operations for a short Wayne County Airport (DTW). mind-set, the pilot “hears” and ment considerably shortens the Pilots Association (ALPA) and the offer aircraft maintenance and This makes MANG AERO CLUB reads back 10R. The busy control- Air Transport Association (ATA) available landing distance. time. However, no services in- flight instruction to serve local cluding fuel, maintenance, or one of the oldest continuously ac- ler expects to hear 10L and does threatened to refuse all land-and- Remembering that the PIC is the tive flying clubs in Michigan. not catch the mistake. hold-short clearances if the FAA did final authority on accepting a clear- needs. A full-time airframe and snow removal will be available. not address their safety concerns. ance is vital. Do not be afraid to power plant mechanic and a pro- MANG has maintained an acci- A situation similar to this sce- Pilots are advised to check No- say “no” if any doubt exists. fessional flight instructor will be tices to Airmen (NOTAMS) to de- dent free record with its 53 mem- nario occurred at Lambert-St. Louis In February, the three groups bers while flying from one of the International in St. Louis, Missouri agreed to revise the LAHSO proce- Coping with the Problem among the staff dedicated to termine the airport’s status. in November 1994. The pilot of a dures. those services. The college has world’s busiest airports. No Solving the runway incursion Cessna 441 was cleared to a run- already based a Cessna 172 at Regional airlines are seeking longer affiliated with the National way that was parallel to his arrival The FAA now mandates several problem will require a team effort new ways to attract pilots in the Guard, membership is diverse in- by all parties associated with the the airport. runway. The pilot had a precon- requirements before ATC may use face of a growing shortage. In ad- cluding ATP, Commercial, Private LAHSO procedures. Some of the surface movement of aircraft. Sev- ceived mind-set (expectation bias) Funding for the partnership dition to more aggressive adver- and Student Pilots. Numerous air- that he would depart on his arrival requirements are as follows. eral government policies are focusing on the problem, and the is part of the state transportation tising and recruiting, airlines are craft have been used over the years runway. He proceeded to taxi into Weather conditions at the air- budget signed by Governor position and hold at an intersection FAA, air carriers, and other avia- taking steps to build more stable with three aircraft currently avail- port must be (a) at least a 1,000 foot tion groups are beginning on that runway. A departing MD- ceiling and 3 miles visibility, (b) the Engler in July. A one-time grant corporate cultures to retain current able, a Piper Archer, a Cessna 172 80 collided with the Cessna. The awareness education and training of $165,000 will be used by the pilots. A growing number of re- and a Piper Warrior. On Septem- runway used for hold short opera- programs. collision killed two people. tions must be dry, and (c) a tailwind college for start-up costs for the gional airlines are lowering their ber 23, 1999, the club celebrated its Mistakes such as transposing component or wind shear adviso- This article has focused on first two years of operation. Af- flight time requirements. A few 40th anniversary during a general numbers (runway 20 vs. runway ries must not exist. The ATIS defining and identifying the causes ter that, the operation will be self years ago, most required a least membership meeting. Informa- 02), and confusing aircraft with broadcast will announce that of runway incursions. The next sufficient. 1,500 total and 500 multi-engine tion about the club can be obtained “LAHSO operations are in effect,” issue of Michigan Aviation will sug- similar call signs (N3906U vs. flight hours. Some airlines are by contacting the membership N8906V) exacerbate the readback/ and the available landing distance gest ways to reduce the chances of Western Michigan University (ALD) for the hold-short runway. experiencing a runway incursion. now hiring applicants with as few officer at (313) 841-6934. hearback situation. Other prob- has entered into a pilot training as 1,000 total and 100 hours multi- lems arise when behind-the-scenes Before any pilot may partici- and hiring agreement with engine. In addition, the once-com- tasks distract controllers or pilots. pate in LAHSO, knowledge-based Northwest Airlink partner, mon pay-for-training practice is

6 3 voluntary program. Because of this dis- runways. In these scenarios, proper use King Air’s runway. Fourteen people died from the wet concrete creates an incred- crepancy, discussing some runway incur- and reliance on the CTAF is paramount. in the accident. ibly disorienting effect. When no “grass sion factors distinctly related to Expectation bias is another serious islands” exist between the taxiways and Coming Soon to Your Favorite Airport nontowered airports is necessary. consideration. Expecting certain patterns Runway Incursions at runways, the airport surface becomes a and behaviors from others is natural, and Tower-Controlled Airports Air traffic controllers are not present giant “sea of concrete.” we modify our own behaviors to meet at nontowered airports, so every user has The causes of incursions at these expectations. Adherence to, and In Michigan, snow is a serious 350 325 a personal responsibility to maintain nontowered airports (communications, expecting “standard operating proce- determent to situational awareness. 292 safety. Operations at nontowered air- visual clearing, and expectation bias) are dures” also leads to trouble if an aircraft Snow not only reduces visibility, but will 300 281 275 ports require all pilots and ground per- equally applicable at towered airports, does not operate as anticipated. For ex- completely obscure signs and surface 248 sonnel to follow the guidelines presented but with different implications. At tow- 242 240 ample, you are second in the traffic pat- markings. Even on clear days snow can 250 in the Aeronautical Information Manual ered airports the air traffic controllers add 219 tern behind a Cessna 172. The pattern is be a problem. Snow banks created after 200 (AIM). The AIM defines traffic patterns an additional dimension to the “standard busy and you are following closely be- plowing can dwarf even a large aircraft, 200 186 and ground operations, and predicates operating procedures” and an additional hind the 172. The Cessna makes a nor- and can make situational awareness and the anticipation of standard procedures set of potential human errors. Commu- 150 mal landing and you expect it to depart visual clearing difficult or impossible (see from all traffic. Pilots use the common nications are more complex and involve Figure 2). traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to an- pilots, ap- 100 The FAA standardizes runway and nounce, update, and revise their inten- proach con- taxiway signs and designs them to be aids tions. Monitoring the CTAF also con- trollers, tower 50 to surface navigation. Frequently, how- firms that everyone is operating as an- controllers, ever, they contribute to surface disorien- ticipated. ground con- 0 tation by being inadequate or inherently trollers, and confusing (see Figure 3). If these signs Because the CTAF is so important, ground per- its misuse is a primary cause of incursions become broken or obstructed by snow or 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 sonnel. Opti- weeds, they are of little value. Hold-short at nontowered airports. Some pitfalls of mally, the con- CTAF use are omitting position reports, lines and ILS critical area signs (see Figure 4) Runway Incursions trollers and pi- Figure 1 inaccurate position reports, having the lots will work volume turned down, accidently having as a team and the radio switched off, and using the Continued from Cover The Statistics Figure 2 correct the wrong frequency. A serious problem on other’s er- The FAA defines a runway incursion After the NTSB addressed the run- beautiful Saturday afternoons is fre- rors. In real- Figure 4 as “any occurrence at an airport involv- way incursion problem in 1986, the FAA quency congestion. Often, pilots find it ity, however, can create runway transgression traps. ing an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object initiated several programs to reduce run- difficult to “break” into the radio traffic the “checks If any part of the aircraft protrudes be- on the ground that creates a collision haz- way incursion accidents and incidents. to announce their position and inten- and balances” yond these lines, a runway transgres- ard or results in the loss of separation Consequently, the statistics show a down- tions. Using the CTAF properly, and us- often break- sion has occurred–even if the aircraft has with an aircraft taking off, intending to ward trend culminating in an all-time ing clear and concise terminology, is key down, and “not entered the runway.” take off, landing or intending to land.” low in 1993. Unfortunately, the trend to maintaining safety at nontowered air- confusion or Another transgression trap occurs Relative to this definition, note that (a) reversed and the rate of incursions is in- ports. brief lapses of when two runways originate from the not all surface incidents are runway in- creasing dramatically. The 1998 statistics concentration Another significant cause of runway same threshold area. An example of this cursions, and (b) not all runway incur- show an increase of more than 55 per- cause embar- incursions at nontowered airports is in- configuration is the thresholds of run- sions result in accidents. From a safety cent of the 1993 figure (see Figure 1). rassment, sur- adequate visual clearing. Consider a way 5 and runway 9 at the Kalamazoo/ standpoint, however, all surface incidents Most alarming is that these data are un- face incidents, high-wing aircraft waiting at the hold- Battle Creek Airport. On the airport dia- are simply runway incursions waiting to derstated because they reflect only the and accidents. short lines and aligned perpendicular to gram, each threshold appears distinct. happen. situation at towered airports. Air traffic The following the runway. While holding short, the However, upon taxiing into the area it controllers must submit a report after discussion will pilot must physically turn the aircraft to Figure3 becomes a “sea of concrete” and the every incursion, but at nontowered air- address some see someone on base or final. If the air- thresholds are not as obvious. Instruc- The FAA has identified three general causes ports these incidents often go unreported. common craft is parked too close to the hold-short tors teach student pilots to verify their of runway incursions: causes of run- A primary cause of the dramatic in- lines, there will not be enough room to alignment with the runway heading by the runway at the nearest taxiway (fol- way incursions at towered airports, and 1. Pilot Deviations (pilot errors)—Any crease in runway incursions is that air reposition the aircraft without entering checking their heading instruments. In this lowing section 4-3-20 of the Aeronautical identify some common “traps” to avoid. action of a pilot that results in a violation of a traffic has also dramatically increased. the runway surface. (Remember that any case, checking the runway to ensure that it federal aviation regulation. Information Manual). You are now on Because of the increased traffic volume, part of the aircraft that is inside the hold- short final and configured to land, but Situational (Positional) Awareness is aligned with the heading instruments is a monumental increase in the potential short lines is protruding onto the runway wise also. 2. Operational Errors (controller errors)– the Cessna continues to taxi on the run- Loss of situational awareness at con- An occurrence attributable to an element of the for conflicts between aircraft exists. Lin- surface.) way. A go-around is your only recourse. coln Lounsbury (Professional Pilot, May trolled airports is a leading cause of sur- Operating Without a Clearance air traffic control (ATC) system that results in the Often visual clearing may be diffi- face incidents and incursions. Controlled 1998) points out that potential conflicts Misuses of the CTAF, inadequate vi- Operating without a clearance is a following conditions: cult or impossible. If a runway has a sig- airports are inherently confusing, and increase at an exponentially faster rate sual clearing, and expectation bias often serious problem at towered airports. For nificant crest toward its center, seeing an “getting lost” while taxiing is common. a. Less than the applicable separation minima than the actual traffic. This increase in combine to form a fatal chain of events. example, ATC instructs you to follow an aircraft that is departing from the oppo- Unfamiliarity with the airport and not between two or more aircraft, or between an growth was a topic of concern at the Air The November 1996 accident at Quincy, aircraft to a runway that crosses a sec- site end may be impossible. Another im- using an airport diagram add to the dis- aircraft and obstacles. Obstacles include Line Pilots Association annual safety Illinois is a perfect example. A Beech 1900 ond active runway (we will use “27” for possible visual situation will occur at air- orientation. Pilots of smaller aircraft are vehicles, equipment, or personnel on the conference in July 1999. on its landing roll collided with a King this discussion). Ground control instructs ports with intersecting runways. The at a disadvantage because they lack the runways. Air A90 attempting to takeoff. The pilots both pilots to “taxi to runway ‘X’ and Runway Incursions at Nontowered Airports Pellston Regional Airport, for example, in the King Air failed to announce their perspective that pilots on the flight deck b. An aircraft landing or departing on a run hold-short of runway 27.” Upon reach- has approximately one mile between the intentions to takeoff and also failed to of a 747 have. way closed to aircraft operations. Most of the highly-publicized run- ing runway 27, ATC instructs the aircraft threshold of runway 32 and the thresh- monitor the CTAF. The pilots in the Beech way incursions occur at towered airports. old of runway 23. If two aircraft are de- A major challenge to situational you are following to “cross runway 27.” 3. Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviations–Vehicle 1900 expected the King Air to hold in po- These incidents involve large aircraft and parting simultaneously from these run- awareness is reduced visibility. Rain, Without thinking, you continue to fol- or pedestrian incursions resulting from a vehicle hundreds of people, and generate sensa- sition. Both aircraft failed to visually clear snow, fog, and darkness each contribute low. You have just crossed runway 27 operator, a nonpilot operator of an aircraft, or a ways, they may not see each other until the airspace during their operations. Ex- tional media exposure. Data on incur- it is too late. If the wind is calm, or if the to poor visibility, but when they work in without a clearance and have commit- pedestrian who deviates onto the movement area sions at nontowered airports, however, acerbating the confusion was an inappro- concert, situational awareness becomes ted a runway transgression. (including the runway) without ATC authorization. wind direction does not clearly define the priate CTAF transmission by a new pri- are only available from the NASA Avia- use of a particular runway, the more nearly impossible. On a rainy night the tion Safety Reporting System (ASRS)–a vate pilot holding short of the departing glare of multicolored lights reflecting likely it is that traffic will use conflicting Continued on page 6

4 5 Figure 4