Crew Mistake Caused 90-Minute Runway Closure

A stunning investigation into the 2021 runway disruption at Hong Kong International Airport has uncovered a significant error made by the crew of a Siberia Airlines cargo plane! This incident, which grounded flight operations for a staggering 90 minutes, stemmed from the pilots' unfamiliarity with an unopened paved area they mistakenly believed was a runway exit.

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) released a detailed report revealing that during the flight SBI8817's exit from the runway via taxiway A7—directed by air traffic control— the crew inadvertently taxied onto a section that had not yet been authorized for operations.

Surprising Findings of the Investigation

The freighter, inbound from Irkutsk International Airport, came to a halt in front of marker boards in this unopened area. The report highlighted a critical gap in the crew’s knowledge regarding the airport layout, emphasizing that they were unaware of this restricted section and mistook it as the correct exit.

Fortunately, the incident resulted in no injuries or damage to the aircraft, the runway, or nearby airport facilities.

Weather Woes and Emergency Response

The freighter landed around 12:03 AM local time on October 14, 2021, but visibility was hampered due to strong winds and heavy rain at the time. In a precautionary move, multiple fire engines and ambulances were dispatched to ensure the safety of all involved, although thankfully, no emergencies arose.

Runway Safety Restored!

By approximately 1:00 AM, the freighter was towed to safety, and airport personnel completed thorough checks on the north runway, ultimately confirming it was safe for reopening by 1:30 AM.

Recommendations for Future Safety

The AAIA, conducting its investigation independently under international standards, has issued two vital safety recommendations. They urge Siberia Airlines to improve pilots' understanding of operational information and the Airport Authority to enhance safety risk assessments during construction projects in aircraft movement areas.

These recommendations aim to prevent such disruptions in the future and ensure smoother operations at one of the world's busiest airports!