Description

On 7 February 2008, a Bombardier DHC8-300 being operated by Eastern Australia AL for Qantas on a scheduled passenger flight from Tamworth to Sydney was inadvertently cleared for take off from runway 30R whilst a bird scaring vehicle was already on the runway having previously received a valid clearance to that effect from the same controller. As the aircraft crew could see the vehicle, they did not commence take off.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). It was found that there had been no actual risk of collision due to the awareness of the conflict by both the aircraft crew and the vehicle driver involved. It was noted that the bird scaring vehicle had been operating on the runway for about five minutes prior to the issue of the conflicting take off clearance.

The airport operations officer driving the bird scaring vehicle reported that he had been monitoring the TWR radio frequency and when he heard the take-off clearance being issued to the DHC8, he had advised the TWR that he would vacate the runway and had subsequently done so. The DHC8 flight crew had observed the vehicle on the runway and so did not commence the takeoff which was subsequently cancelled.

The airport operations officer driving the bird scaring vehicle reported that he had been monitoring the TWR radio frequency and when he heard the take-off clearance being issued to the DHC8, he had advised the TWR that he would vacate the runway and had subsequently done so. The DHC8 flight crew had observed the vehicle on the runway and so did not commence the takeoff which was subsequently cancelled.