A320 / Vehicle, London Gatwick UK, 2018

A320 / Vehicle, London Gatwick UK, 2018

Summary

On 3 February 2018, a runway inspection vehicle was cleared onto the active runway at London Gatwick ahead of an aircraft which had just touched down and driven towards it having been cleared to do so because the aircraft crew’s confirmation that they would clear the runway before reaching the vehicle was considered by the controller as a clearance limit. The Investigation found that the associated runway inspection procedure had not been adequately risk-assessed and noted that many issues raised by it had still not been addressed by the time it was completed eighteen months later.

Description

On 3 February 2018, an Airbus A320 (EI-CVB) being operated by Aer Lingus on a scheduled international passenger flight from Lyon to London Gatwick had just landed on runway 26L and was decelerating through approximately 60 knots when the crew saw a vehicle enter the runway and drive towards them. They were approaching the rapid exit taxiway (RET) on which they expected to leave the runway and did so and were followed onto the same taxiway by the vehicle. The Captain advised his intention to submit a Safety Report.

Investigation

A Field Investigation was carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (UK) (AAIB). It was triggered by the A320 Captain’s Safety Report as both the Airport Operator and their ANSP, having investigated the concerns recorded in the Safety Report internally, had concluded that the actions of the vehicle driver and the controller had been, respectively, in accordance with the applicable runway inspection and ATC procedures. It was noted that the reporting 46 year-old Captain had a total of 12,000 hours flying experience which included 8,800 on type.

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