Description

On 18 September 2017, an Airbus A320 (HS-TXB) being operated by Thai Smile on a scheduled international passenger flight from Yangon to Bangkok as THD302 was on runway 21 awaiting take-off clearance in day VMC when it was instructed to line up and wait behind an ATR72-600 (XY-AJP) being operated by Mann Yadanarpone Airlines on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Sittwe to Yangon as MYP417A which was on final approach. An APP controller had to intervene when the TWR controller did not respond to reminders from the A320 crew that they were already on the runway and the A320 was just airborne and still over the runway when the ATR 72 landed.

Investigation

After a delay of 11 days in the reporting of the incident to the Myanmar Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) by ATC, an Investigation was commenced. The ATR 72 flight crew stated that they had been unaware that an incident subject to investigation had occurred and had therefore not reported it to the AAIB. Radar and communication channel recordings covering the event were available to the Investigation and it was noted that the prevailing weather conditions had been good and had not been a factor in what happened.

It was documented that the 42 year-old A320 Captain had 1,504 total flying hours and the 30 year-old First Officer had 1,102 total flying hours. The flight involved was their first flight of the day. The 41 year-old ATR72 Captain had 3,807 total flying hours and the 47 year-old ATR72 Co-Pilot had 3,279 total flying hours.