An Azores flight crew preparing for a departure from Ponta Delgada prevented a possible runway incursion event on 3 June 2024.
Azores flight S4172, an Airbus A320-200, was preparing for a departure from Ponta Delgada airport (PDL) on the island of São Miguel in the Azores.
Potential Runway Conflict
The Azores flight was preparing to depart for Porto, Portugal. Having taxied to the holding point, it was given an ATC clearance to line up on runway 12.
Simultaneously, inbound SATA Air flight S4161, a Havilland Dash-8, was arriving from Funchal. This aircraft had been given an ATC clearance for landing on the reciprocal runway RWY30.
Recognising the conflict, remained clear of the active runway despite being given the ATC directed to line up.
The flight crew subsequently questioned ATC about the possible runway conflict and remained at the holding point for several minutes.
It is understood that the control tower subsequently cancelled their clearance to line up. This was made after their attention had been drawn to the conflict.
The inbound SATA flight had been established on final approach to the reciprocal runway 30. At this point flight crew received the clearance to land from ATC.
As a result of the decision-making and situation awareness on the part of the Azores flight crew, a potential incident was avoided.
Azores A320-200
Flight S4172 subsequently made its departure without incident. Its departure was conducted after the arriving SATA Dash-8 had completed its landing on runway 30.
The aircraft conducting Azores flight S4172 was an Airbus A320-200, registered CS-TKQ.
This is a 19.6 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Azores Airlines. It has been in operational service with the airline since February 2016.
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