B738, Alicante Spain, 2018

B738, Alicante Spain, 2018

Summary

On 7 June 2018, a Boeing 737-800 operated by a non-Spanish speaking crew was given takeoff clearance at Alicante after the same supervised student controller had previously cleared two vehicles to begin a full-length opposite-direction runway inspection in Spanish. The controller error was only recognised when the vehicles were able to transmit that they were still on the runway, the aircraft crew being unaware of the conflict until then told to reject the takeoff. The maximum speed reached by the aircraft was 88 knots and minimum separation between the aircraft and the closest vehicle was never less than 1000 metres.

Description

On 7 June 2018, a Boeing 737-800 (EI-FHZ) being operated by Norwegian Air International on an international passenger flight from Alicante to Oslo as IBK2WH was on its takeoff roll on runway 10 in good day visibility when ATC instructed it to stop the takeoff due to vehicles on the runway ahead. This was promptly accomplished with the aircraft reaching a maximum of 88 knots ground speed. The 3000 metre-long runway was cleared about half way along its length with separation between the oncoming vehicles never less than 1000 metres.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Spanish Commission for the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents (CIAIAC). Relevant CVR data were recorded over during the subsequent flight but the QAR provided useful data and a recording of communications on the TWR frequency and relevant CCTV footage was also available.

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