Description

On 3 January 2024, a Boeing 737-800 (9H-QEN) operated by Malta Air on a scheduled international passenger flight from Copenhagen to Cologne/Bonn as Ryanair flight FR408 was taxiing for departure from the apron to runway 04R. The aircraft was cleared in good night visibility to cross runway 12 and continue taxiing on Taxiway B all the way to the departure runway (04R) holding point. Although not mentioned in the clearance issued, the aircraft would be following a convoy of snow clearance vehicles tasked with clearing slush from the same route. When the flight crew observed, without having reached the main clearance group on the taxiway, that two of these vehicles were stopped and clear of the taxiway edge, they continued to taxi past them towards the remaining vehicles ahead. The flight crew was confident that their overhanging wing clearance was sufficient, whereas the drivers of these vehicles were not.