Date: 25th November 2024
Location: Osaka Kansai International Airport, Japan
Aircraft 1: Boeing 737-800, registration HL8069 (T’way Air, Flight TW-221)
Aircraft 2: Boeing 737-800, registration HL7786 (Jin Air, Flight LJ-234)
Flight Routes:
• TW-221: Osaka Kansai (Japan) to Jeju (South Korea)
• LJ-234: Osaka Kansai (Japan) to Seoul (South Korea)
Passengers and Crew: Not disclosed
Summary of Events
On 25th November 2024, T’way Air Flight TW-221, a Boeing 737-800, inadvertently crossed the hold short line and entered Runway 06R/24L at Osaka Kansai International Airport while taxiing for departure. At the same time, Jin Air Flight LJ-234, another Boeing 737-800, was accelerating down the same runway for takeoff to Seoul.
Jin Air’s aircraft rotated and became airborne at approximately 300 feet AGL, passing over TW-221, which had reached the runway edge about 0.3 nautical miles down the runway. LJ-234 climbed through 600 feet MSL as it overflew TW-221 and continued its flight to Seoul without further incident.
TW-221 vacated the runway via Taxiway A3, proceeded to the holding point for Runway 06R, and subsequently departed for Jeju, completing its flight without further issues.
Japan’s Ministry of Transport and South Korea’s Ministry of Transport are investigating the occurrence as a runway incursion.
Aircraft and Crew Information
T’way Air Boeing 737-800 (Flight TW-221)
• Registration: HL8069
• Role: Taxiing for departure to Jeju
• Crew: Experienced but possibly unfamiliar with specific taxiway configurations at Kansai International Airport.
Jin Air Boeing 737-800 (Flight LJ-234)
• Registration: HL7786
• Role: Accelerating for takeoff from Runway 06R to Seoul
• Crew: Successfully rotated and maintained safe clearance from TW-221 due to prompt situational awareness.
Sequence of Events
1. Taxiing Incident:
• TW-221 was instructed to taxi via Taxiway J1 and turn onto Taxiway P, parallel to Runway 06R/24L.
• Instead of turning onto Taxiway P, TW-221 continued onto Taxiway A2, crossing the hold short line and entering Runway 06R/24L without clearance.
2. Takeoff and Overflight:
• At the same time, LJ-234 was accelerating for takeoff on Runway 06R.
• LJ-234 rotated for takeoff and climbed through 300 feet AGL as it passed over TW-221, maintaining a separation of approximately 300 feet vertically and 0.3 nautical miles horizontally.
3. Post-Incident Actions:
• LJ-234 continued its climb and flight to Seoul without further incident.
• TW-221 exited the runway at Taxiway A3, resumed taxiing to the holding point for Runway 06R, and departed for Jeju without further issues.
Initial Investigation and Analysis
Contributing Factors
1. Taxiway Navigation Error:
• The crew of TW-221 missed the turn onto Taxiway P and instead continued along Taxiway A2, resulting in an unauthorized entry onto the active runway.
2. Situational Awareness:
• A lack of situational awareness by the TW-221 crew likely contributed to the runway incursion.
• It remains unclear if language barriers, inadequate taxiway signage, or unfamiliarity with Kansai Airport’s layout played a role.
3. Coordination and Timing:
• Air traffic control (ATC) did not detect the incursion in time to halt LJ-234’s takeoff roll, though the takeoff was successfully completed due to the pilots’ quick reactions.
Safety Concerns and Risks
• Risk of Collision:
The timing of LJ-234’s rotation and climb was critical to avoiding a catastrophic collision.
• Runway Incursion:
This incident highlights the persistent risk of runway incursions, particularly at airports with complex taxiway configurations or during busy operations.
• Communication Barriers:
Language or procedural misunderstandings may exacerbate the likelihood of such occurrences.
Conclusions
The runway incursion at Osaka Kansai International Airport involving T’way Air Flight TW-221 and Jin Air Flight LJ-234 underscores the importance of robust procedures, situational awareness, and ATC vigilance in preventing similar incidents.
The swift response by LJ-234’s crew and sufficient vertical separation ensured a safe outcome, but the incident demonstrates the critical need for enhanced measures to mitigate runway incursions.
Recommendations
1. Enhanced Pilot Training:
• Provide additional training for pilots operating in airports with complex taxiway layouts, focusing on situational awareness and signage recognition.
2. Improved Airport Signage:
• Airports should review taxiway signage and markings to ensure clarity, particularly for foreign operators.
3. Runway Incursion Alerts:
• Implement advanced runway incursion alert systems in ATC facilities to detect unauthorized runway entries promptly.
4. Standardized Communication Protocols:
• Reinforce standardized communication procedures to prevent misunderstandings between ATC and flight crews, especially for international operators.
5. Safety Management Systems (SMS):
• Operators and airports should incorporate lessons from this incident into their SMS, emphasizing risk identification and mitigation for runway incursions.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
This incident highlights the ever-present risk of runway incursions and the critical need for effective coordination between pilots and ATC. By addressing contributing factors and implementing preventative measures, the aviation industry can further enhance runway safety and reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences.
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