DH8C / GALX, Valencia Spain, 2008
DH8C / GALX, Valencia Spain, 2008
Summary
On 11 February 2008, the crew of a DHC8-300 misjudged the sufficient clearance during taxi and collided with a Gulfstream G200 at a taxiway intersection.
Event Details
When
11/02/2008
Day/Night
Night
Flight Conditions
On Ground - Normal Visibility
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Taxi
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Standing
Location
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Aircraft-aircraft collision,
Airport Layout
HF
Tag(s)
ATC clearance error
GND
Tag(s)
Taxiway collision,
Aircraft / Aircraft conflict,
ATC clearance error,
Wingtip clearance
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Minor
Non-aircraft damage
Yes
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Injuries
None
Occupant Fatalities
None
Off Airport Landing
Yes
Ditching
Yes
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Air Traffic Management
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Air Traffic Management
Airport Management
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 11 February 2008, a Gulfstream G200 being operated on a public transport passenger charter flight by Executive Airlines had landed on Runway 30 at Valencia and cleared the Runway to the right to taxi back on the parallel taxiway before stopping at a later intersection to wait for clearance to cross the same runway to the South Apron. The next aircraft to land, A DHC8-300 being operated by Air Nostrum on a scheduled passenger flight cleared Runway 30 further down and then also exited to the right and was cleared to taxi along it to the North Apron past the waiting Gulfstream. Although it was dark, the DHC8 crew believed that there would be sufficient clearance to safely pass the stopped aircraft but this turned out not to be the case and as a consequence of the ensuing slight collision, minor damage was caused to both aircraft.
The Investigation
An Accident Investigation was carried out by the Spanish Accident Investigation Agency, the Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil (CIAIAC). They determined that the cause of the collision was the inappropriate clearance given by ATC to the DHC8 to continue taxing on the parallel taxiway and the subsequent misjudgment made by the DHC8 crew as to safe clearance. They noted that the Gulfstream was stopped at the correct point and that a larger aircraft in the same position would have visibly blocked the parallel taxiway, this precluding the possibility of a collision. Aspects of the design of the airport in relation to the accident were examined and, whilst found to be not directly relevant to the collision, it was determined that various markings, lights and signs were not correctly represented on the AIP Aerodrome Chart and that some were not in accordance with Annex 14 SARPs. A corresponding Safety Recommendation was made to the Airport Operator and accepted.
Related Articles
Further Reading
- The complete Investigation Report
