eirjet A320 LANDS AT WRONG AIRPORT!
It happened a few years ago on a Loganair Twin Otter, guy got sacked because he tried to cover it, he took off and then re-landed at Londonderry, City of Derry, Eglinton Airport( dont want to upset either side)...
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Mistake is easy to make at Eglinton the pilot was only one of 2 a/c in the sky at the time and he was also given an instruction to keep the circuit tight to avoid the train passing the threshold at Eglinton.
This was avoidable the pilot made a mistake and flew a visual circuit at the wrong airfield. There was a slight hail shower to the NW of EGAE at the time but about 40km vis in the direction of final approach. Over the years many a/c have been saved from this mistake by controllers at EGAE however this one was plain to see. I think the controller concerned got distracted by trying to get the ILS fixed for the next calibration run. The crews had their eyes out of the cockpit flying a tricky vis approach, base leg was between the airfield and the high ground to the east and he was on tight base below the level of it, not an approach were you would have time to recheck your instruments I think.
This was avoidable the pilot made a mistake and flew a visual circuit at the wrong airfield. There was a slight hail shower to the NW of EGAE at the time but about 40km vis in the direction of final approach. Over the years many a/c have been saved from this mistake by controllers at EGAE however this one was plain to see. I think the controller concerned got distracted by trying to get the ILS fixed for the next calibration run. The crews had their eyes out of the cockpit flying a tricky vis approach, base leg was between the airfield and the high ground to the east and he was on tight base below the level of it, not an approach were you would have time to recheck your instruments I think.
de minimus non curat lex
Without in anyway wishing to prejudice the inquiry, I have two simple questions:
1. Had the airbus been "cleared to land"? Yes or No
2. If yes, was this issued without the ATCO seeing the aircraft on final?
The CRM Pilot / ATCO interface will be worth discussing once the facts are established, and the AAIB report is published.
There but for the grace of God go I
1. Had the airbus been "cleared to land"? Yes or No
2. If yes, was this issued without the ATCO seeing the aircraft on final?
The CRM Pilot / ATCO interface will be worth discussing once the facts are established, and the AAIB report is published.
There but for the grace of God go I
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it's a shame that RYR are getting all the blame in the media; no blame rests on them at all. I recently flew on an Eirjet A320 from LDY to LPL, and the cockpit door was banging to and fro the whole flight. The hosties kept trying to shut it, but it wouldn't catch. Didn't look very impressive from a passenger point of view...
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In Derry is just above limits (I remember holding for the firemen to show up) years ago so with that in mind I can imagine what the fire category was at that time at the wrong airport
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Originally Posted by oldlag53
it's a shame that RYR are getting all the blame in the media; no blame rests on them at all.
If Ryanair wasn't such a bloody awful outfit, I think this incident would be attracting more sympathy and less piss-taking.
SoS
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Dos`nt this say it all
UK AIP LONDONDERRY/EGLINTON (8 Jul 04) AD 2-EGAE-1-7
UK AIP LONDONDERRY/EGLINTON (8 Jul 04) AD 2-EGAE-1-7
Civil Aviation Authority AMDT 7/04
1 Aerodrome Regulations
a All aircraft using this aerodrome or its facilities are required to have third party liability insurance cover in the sum of £1,000,000. Proof of this
insurance should be available for inspection.
b This aerodrome may only be used whilst ATC and RFFS facilities are being provided.
c Aircraft unable to communicate by radio are subject to ATC approval.
d The use of this aerodrome is subject to the published terms and conditions of use and Airport Byelaws, a copy of which is available on request.
e Aircraft departing and arriving from and to destinations outside of Northern Ireland are required to use the main terminal building for Customs,
Immigration and Special Branch clearances, as appropriate.
f Flight crews are reminded that the ramp is a 24 hour mandatory high visibility clothing area. All flight crews are to wear high visibility clothing
for all ramp activities (including aircraft walk-arounds).
g Nose-in parking is the preferred method of parking all aircraft of more than 5700 kg MTOW. Requests for into wind parking should be made
to ATC. ATC will arrange a remote into wind parking area. Passengers will be transferred by bus to the terminal building where appropriate.
insurance should be available for inspection.
b This aerodrome may only be used whilst ATC and RFFS facilities are being provided.
c Aircraft unable to communicate by radio are subject to ATC approval.
d The use of this aerodrome is subject to the published terms and conditions of use and Airport Byelaws, a copy of which is available on request.
e Aircraft departing and arriving from and to destinations outside of Northern Ireland are required to use the main terminal building for Customs,
Immigration and Special Branch clearances, as appropriate.
f Flight crews are reminded that the ramp is a 24 hour mandatory high visibility clothing area. All flight crews are to wear high visibility clothing
for all ramp activities (including aircraft walk-arounds).
g Nose-in parking is the preferred method of parking all aircraft of more than 5700 kg MTOW. Requests for into wind parking should be made
to ATC. ATC will arrange a remote into wind parking area. Passengers will be transferred by bus to the terminal building where appropriate.
2 Ground Movement.
Not applicable.
3 CAT II/III Operations.
Not applicable.
4 Warnings
a No ground signals except light signals.
b Agricultural work takes place on the grass areas periodically throughout the year.
c Pilots are warned of the presence of large congregations of sea-birds in the approach area to Runway 26 (take-off area for Runway 08). There
is a constant bird hazard on the surrounding terrain and tidal mud flats adjacent to the aerodrome, which can increase at short notice as
concentrations of migratory birds move through the area.
d Pilots are reminded of the close proximity of Ballykelly 5 nm to the east-north-east of this aerodrome. Ballykelly runway lighting may be
observed from the final approach to Runway 26. Pilots of aircraft en-route and in the circuit should positively identify Londonderry/Eglinton
before committing the aircraft to landing.
e Single-engined aircraft should avoid overflying a chemical plant 2 to 3 nm west of the aerodrome below 1500 ft.
f In conditions of moderate or heavy rain, particularly associated with a southerly wind, pilots are advised that temporary puddles may occur on
Runway 02/20.
g A single-track railway passes through the undershoot area of Runway 26 with up to 14 train movements per day. Aircraft will not be permitted
to land on Runway 26 or depart Runway 08 from 5 minutes before the passage of a train until the train is past. Aircraft may experience
approach delays of up to 10 minutes where movements conflict with the passage of a train.
b Agricultural work takes place on the grass areas periodically throughout the year.
c Pilots are warned of the presence of large congregations of sea-birds in the approach area to Runway 26 (take-off area for Runway 08). There
is a constant bird hazard on the surrounding terrain and tidal mud flats adjacent to the aerodrome, which can increase at short notice as
concentrations of migratory birds move through the area.
d Pilots are reminded of the close proximity of Ballykelly 5 nm to the east-north-east of this aerodrome. Ballykelly runway lighting may be
observed from the final approach to Runway 26. Pilots of aircraft en-route and in the circuit should positively identify Londonderry/Eglinton
before committing the aircraft to landing.
e Single-engined aircraft should avoid overflying a chemical plant 2 to 3 nm west of the aerodrome below 1500 ft.
f In conditions of moderate or heavy rain, particularly associated with a southerly wind, pilots are advised that temporary puddles may occur on
Runway 02/20.
g A single-track railway passes through the undershoot area of Runway 26 with up to 14 train movements per day. Aircraft will not be permitted
to land on Runway 26 or depart Runway 08 from 5 minutes before the passage of a train until the train is past. Aircraft may experience
approach delays of up to 10 minutes where movements conflict with the passage of a train.
5 Helicopter Operations.
Not applicable.
6 Use of Runways
a In calm wind conditions Runway 08 is the preferred departure runway and Runway 26 is the preferred arrival runway.
b To minimise damage to the runway porous friction course on Runway 08/26, aircraft required to turn on the runway must use the maximum
available turning circle consistent with the runway width. Additionally, speed must be kept to a minimum consistent with good aviation practice.
Wheel locking must be avoided during turns.
b To minimise damage to the runway porous friction course on Runway 08/26, aircraft required to turn on the runway must use the maximum
available turning circle consistent with the runway width. Additionally, speed must be kept to a minimum consistent with good aviation practice.
Wheel locking must be avoided during turns.
7 Training
a Use of the aerodrome for training purposes is subject to the following:
i Training is not permitted between the hours of 2359 and 0700 local;
ii a booking system operates for instrument training. Training periods can be booked by application to ATC. Filing of a flight plan does not
constitute a booking and failure to make a booking may result in the aircraft being refused use of the facilities. Pilots are to inform ATC
of booking cancellations;
iii circuit training is only available by prior arrangement with ATC;
iv circuit direction for all training aircraft will be varied by ATC for air traffic and noise nuisance avoidance purposes.
i Training is not permitted between the hours of 2359 and 0700 local;
ii a booking system operates for instrument training. Training periods can be booked by application to ATC. Filing of a flight plan does not
constitute a booking and failure to make a booking may result in the aircraft being refused use of the facilities. Pilots are to inform ATC
of booking cancellations;
iii circuit training is only available by prior arrangement with ATC;
iv circuit direction for all training aircraft will be varied by ATC for air traffic and noise nuisance avoidance purposes.
EGAE AD 2.20 – LOCAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
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kriss, yes, it does say it all, but...
Do you suppose they carry a UK AIP in an Irish registered airliner (or any other one, for that matter?)
Does anyone ever read the AIP notes for the airfields they visit/may visit? How would they obtain a UK AIP in Eire? Their Ops dept sure as hell wouldn't have one!
Much more relevant is how this was depicted in the approach plates they were using - maybe someone knows which type Eirjet use and can post a copy here?
Do you suppose they carry a UK AIP in an Irish registered airliner (or any other one, for that matter?)
Does anyone ever read the AIP notes for the airfields they visit/may visit? How would they obtain a UK AIP in Eire? Their Ops dept sure as hell wouldn't have one!
Much more relevant is how this was depicted in the approach plates they were using - maybe someone knows which type Eirjet use and can post a copy here?
Originally Posted by Speed of Sound
This thread has just been shown on the BBC News! 
SoS
SoS
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Yeah - it was a nice report by Denis Murray wasn't it!
Nice to see the forum getting a mention! For those that missed it, you can catch it on the BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/ click on video on the right hand side. It's also repeated on News 24 every hour too.
Nice to see the forum getting a mention! For those that missed it, you can catch it on the BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/ click on video on the right hand side. It's also repeated on News 24 every hour too.
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From the Irish independant online, posted this morning...
Eirjet urged not to sack pilots over Derry blunder
10:46 Thursday March 30th 2006
The British Airline Pilots Association is urging the Co Clare-based airline Eirjet not to sack the two pilots who mistakenly landed a passenger plane at a military base in the North yesterday.
The pilots were supposed to land the Ryanair-chartered flight from Liverpool at the City of Derry Airport.
However, they touched down instead on an airstrip at the Ballykelly military base five miles away, apparently believing that they were on a visual approach to Derry.
Eirjet has apologised for the incident, which is under investigation by the British authorities.
The BALPA, meanwhile, said lessons had to be learned, but the incident was a simple human error and the two pilots should not be sacked as a result.
Eirjet urged not to sack pilots over Derry blunder
10:46 Thursday March 30th 2006
The British Airline Pilots Association is urging the Co Clare-based airline Eirjet not to sack the two pilots who mistakenly landed a passenger plane at a military base in the North yesterday.
The pilots were supposed to land the Ryanair-chartered flight from Liverpool at the City of Derry Airport.
However, they touched down instead on an airstrip at the Ballykelly military base five miles away, apparently believing that they were on a visual approach to Derry.
Eirjet has apologised for the incident, which is under investigation by the British authorities.
The BALPA, meanwhile, said lessons had to be learned, but the incident was a simple human error and the two pilots should not be sacked as a result.
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Incidents/ Accidents happen from a chain of errors, and breaking it at any point would have avoided the result.
I do sympathise with the flight crew to an extent, as I'm sure they realise the seriousness - despite a normal landing, with no injuries - and are very much aware of their responsibilities as flight crew.
I do sympathise with the flight crew to an extent, as I'm sure they realise the seriousness - despite a normal landing, with no injuries - and are very much aware of their responsibilities as flight crew.
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Those who remember the 23 approach into Heathrow will recall seeing a big 'NO' painted on a gas tank close to Northolt, which lay close to the centre line. Might be an idea to paint a big 'NO!' at some other places?
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I know it has happened a couple of times in the past, notably loganair. I have flown from eglinton a lot and have had students wrongly identifying Ballykelly, but they were students with low hours. If you look at the approach for 26 it is over the water for the last couple of miles, ballykelly aint.There are too many wrong signals for a professional crew to make this mistake in my mind. I flew into eglinton a few weeks ago with a f/o who hadnt been there before, and yes he saw ballykelly and said that don't look right. He then remembered the approach brief, you do look at your plates even when visual don't you? An unfortunate incident which could have been avoided.
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The controllers at Aldergrove (a fine body of men and women BTW) used to ask if you were "aware of the position of Langford Lodge aerodrome" when you were making an approach to 07, is there a similar procedure at Londonderry?