A333 / B738, Barcelona Spain, 2022

A333 / B738, Barcelona Spain, 2022

Summary

On 2 July 2022, a Boeing 737-800 taxiing for departure from runway 24L at Barcelona, Spain, under ground control and using a route which crossed the runway 24R extended centreline was abruptly stopped by the controller on the centreline. Almost immediately, an Airbus A330-300 departing 24R overflew the 737 at about 700 feet. The 737 should have been stopped at an earlier unlit stopbar position before the A330 was given takeoff clearance. An inadequate lighting control and indicating system was assessed as a contributing factor. Both controllers involved were qualified but very inexperienced.

Description

On 2 July 2022, an Airbus A330-300 (N803NW) operated by Delta Air Lines on a scheduled international passenger flight from Barcelona to New York JFK as DAL169 overflew a Boeing 737-800 (EI-DYO) operated by Ryanair on a scheduled international passenger flight from Barcelona to Bologna as RYR18NN in day visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The 737 had unexpectedly been told to stop on the extended centreline of the runway from which the A330 was departing. Local procedures did not permit use of the taxiway where the 737 stopped when an aircraft was taking off. Both aircraft were in compliance with their respective clearances at the time, and both controllers involved were qualified but very inexperienced.

Investigation

An investigation was carried out by the Spanish Commission for the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents (CIAIAC), using recorded ATC communications and radar data.

The full content of this page is available to registered users only.
Please Log in or Register

SKYbrary Partners:

Safety knowledge contributed by: