Communiqués

TSB # A06/2005

(Gatineau, Quebec, May 12, 2005) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today releases its final report A04P0047 on a risk of collision between a privately owned Cessna 182 and a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 on the runway at the Vancouver International Airport on March 3, 2004.

The Cessna was cleared to land on Runway 08 right (08R), by Vancouver's south tower controller. At the same time, a Westjet Airlines 737 was taxiing to Runway 08R for departure.

Once the Cessna crossed the threshold of 08R, the controller cleared the 737, then holding just short of the threshold, to position itself for take-off from Runway 08R. After seeing that the Cessna had touched down, the controller gave instruction for the Cessna to exit the runway and contact Vancouver ground control; the pilot correctly read back this instruction. A few seconds later, the controller assessed that the Cessna was turning off Runway 08R and cleared the 737 for take-off.

The Cessna pilot, however, missed the exit and remained on Runway 08R. With the 737 now on its take-off roll, the controller was advised that the Cessna was still on the runway. He immediately instructed the Cessna pilot to vacate the runway quickly at the next taxiway and to stay to the right-hand side of the runway. With the Cessna still on Runway 08R, the 737 passed approximately 200 feet above and 100 feet to the left of the small plane.

In its investigation, the TSB found that the Cessna landed faster and further down the runway than normal, causing the pilot to miss the assigned exit and that the controller cleared the 737 for take off without ensuring that the runway was clear. This resulted in a risk of collision between the two aircraft.

Also, the pilot of the Cessna acknowledged the controller's instruction to exit, but missed the exit and continued on Runway 08R without advising the controller. There is no requirement for a pilot to immediately advise the tower when unable to comply with the exit instructions.

Transport Canada (TC) has taken safety action as a result of the TSB investigation. TC has noted that guidance material contained in the Aeronautical Information Publication Section RAC 1.7 provides clear guidelines as to what a pilot-in-command (PIC) is expected to do when he or she finds an Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance unacceptable, but it is not clear as to what a PIC is expected to do when he or she cannot comply with an ATC instruction. Transport Canada will therefore amend the guidance provided in RAC 1.7 to indicate that a PIC is expected to immediately advise ATC if they are not able to comply with an ATC instruction that they have received and acknowledged.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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