The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Goa runway incursion: AAIB cites AI Express crew error, miscommunication
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has identified flight crew's failure to follow instructions and misinterpretation of communication as probable causes for an Air India Express runway incursion at Goa's Dabolim airport in April, when a Navy fighter jet was taking off. The report also highlights contributory factors and makes several safety recommendations for Air India Express, AAI, and INS HANSA.
A final report by the AAIB attributes the Goa runway incursion at Dabolim to flight crew miscommunication and non-adherence to ATC instructions, stemming from unclear readbacks and misinterpreted radiotelephony.
The incident involved an Air India Express Boeing 737-8 operating AXB 1109 from Dabolim to Delhi and a Navy fighter jet, with 171 people on board and no injuries reported, according to the AAIB findings.
The AAIB notes that Dabolim’s taxiway N2 near civil apron bays presents an elevated risk of ground collisions and incursions, recommending it be treated as a HOTSPOT in safety planning.
Key findings point to the crew not fully complying with SMC taxi instructions to hold and contact Navy Approach, and to a misinterpretation of an R/T readback that led the PF to believe clearance had been granted to enter the runway.
Contributory factors include a trainee Pilot Monitoring who relied heavily on the instructor and failed to monitor R/T calls effectively, preventing timely cautioning of the Pilot Flying about the unauthorised entry.
The report recommends safety measures such as crew counselling and training for AXB 1109, sensitising ATCOs on standard R/T phraseology, and closer collaboration between DGCA/AAIB and Defence authorities, along with procedural changes at INS HANSA and improved handover practices between civil and naval control.