B744 / A321, vicinity London Heathrow UK, 2000
B744 / A321, vicinity London Heathrow UK, 2000
Summary
On 28 April 2000, a British Airways Boeing 747-400 on go around at London Heathrow Airport, UK, had a loss of separation vertically from a British Midland A321 stationary on the runway waiting for take-off.
Event Details
When
28/04/2000
Day/Night
Day
Flight Conditions
On Ground - Normal Visibility
Flight Details
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
Yes
Phase of Flight
Missed Approach
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Take-off Commenced
No
Flight Airborne
No
Flight Completed
Yes
Phase of Flight
Taxi
Location
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Aircraft-aircraft near miss,
ATC Training
HF
Tag(s)
ATC clearance error,
Data use error,
Ineffective Monitoring,
Procedural non compliance
LOS
Tag(s)
Required Separation not maintained,
ATC Error,
Near Miss
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Non-aircraft damage
Yes
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Off Airport Landing
Yes
Ditching
Yes
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Air Traffic Management
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Air Traffic Management
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 28 April 2000, a British Airways Boeing 747-400 on go around at London Heathrow Airport, UK, had a loss of separation vertically from a British Midland AIRBUS A-321 stationary on the runway waiting for take-off.
Synopsis
The following is extracted from the synopsis of the official AAIB Report:
"The incident occurred at London Heathrow Airport when Runway 09R was being used for take off and Runway 09L…for landing. At the time, the ATC controller with responsibility for Runway 09R was a mentor who was supervising a trainee. There was a local procedure whereby aircraft could land on Runway 09R if traffic conditions allowed.
With one aircraft [A321]…still on the runway…[the B747] was instructed to go-around at a late stage of its approach. During this procedure, the aircraft performing the go-around descended to 118 feet…above the runway; the aircraft on the runway had a tail fin height of 38 feet 7 inches.
The investigation revealed the following causal factors:
- The ATC mentor allowed the situation to develop to the point where …[The B747]…could not be safely integrated with the departure of…[the A321]
- When this became apparent, the initial actions of the mentor, on taking control of the RTF, were inappropriate."
Related Articles
Further Reading
- For further information, see the full AAIB Report
