Airbus A320-251N – CS-TVI

Incident Overview

Date: Friday 2 September 2022

Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-251N

Owner/operator: TAP Air Portugal

Registration Number: CS-TVI

Location: Conakry-Gbessia International Airport (CKY) – ÿ Guinea

Phase of Flight: Landing

Status: Substantial, repaired

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 79

Component Affected: Air Airbus A320neo AircraftAir Airbus A320neo Aircraft

Category: Accident

On March 19, 2023, a fatal aviation incident occurred at Conakry Airport, Guinea, when an Airbus A320neo crashed after landing. Two persons were killed due to a motorcycle colliding with the runway. The incident was initially reported by the commander, piloting the aircraft, and the first officer monitoring the flight. The pilots observed a dim and static light near the runway and initiated a discussion about potential turning pad or runway exit lights. Upon touchdown, a motorcycle emerged from the runway center, traveling outbound at approximately 45 degrees with the runway axis. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft to avoid the motorcycle but was unsuccessful, resulting in a collision. The primary cause of the accident was the motorcycle’s impact onto the runway track. Contributing factors included insufficient airport security protocols, a lack of training for runway security personnel, inadequate coordination between departments, and insufficient communication within the GTA (Air Transport Police) network. The incident highlights a failure to adequately address safety and security measures at the airport.On March 19, 2023, a fatal aviation incident occurred at Conakry Airport, Guinea, when an Airbus A320neo crashed after landing. Two persons were killed due to a motorcycle colliding with the runway. The incident was initially reported by the commander, piloting the aircraft, and the first officer monitoring the flight. The pilots observed a dim and static light near the runway and initiated a discussion about potential turning pad or runway exit lights. Upon touchdown, a motorcycle emerged from the runway center, traveling outbound at approximately 45 degrees with the runway axis. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft to avoid the motorcycle but was unsuccessful, resulting in a collision. The primary cause of the accident was the motorcycle’s impact onto the runway track. Contributing factors included insufficient airport security protocols, a lack of training for runway security personnel, inadequate coordination between departments, and insufficient communication within the GTA (Air Transport Police) network. The incident highlights a failure to adequately address safety and security measures at the airport.

Description

TAP Air Portugal flight 1492, an Airbus A320neo, hit two persons on a motorcycle on the runway as the aircraft was landing at Conakry Airport, Guinea. Both persons involved died in the accident. The landing was performed by the commander, acting as pilot flying (PF) and the first officer was acting as pilot monitoring (PM). During the final approach phase, and when already established on final, both pilots saw a dim and static light on or near the runway. They both questioned and talked about what that light would be, assuming that it must be one light from a turning pad or a runway exit light. At 23:30 UTC, after the aircraft touched down the runway, and when the aircraft headlights range allowed it, a motorcycle was observed moving from the centre of the runway to the edge, in an outbound trajectory of approximately 45§ with the axis of the runway. The PF tried, through the application of rudder, to deviate the plane from the approaching motorcycle but it was not possible to avoid the right engine from colliding with the vehicle and the occupants. The main cause of the accident was the incursion of the motorbike onto the track. Other causes : – Total ignorance of airport safety and security rules on the part of the Cave Canem [Surveillance dog squad] employee who was driving the motorbike, due to a lack of the required training and awareness. – Negligence and complacency in securing access to the airport platform. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS : – Insufficient GTA (Air Transport Police) manpower; – Lack of adequate training for almost all runway security agents (GTA, Cave Canem); – Lack of AGAC-approved procedures at GTA level for carrying out its activities, in accordance with the requirements of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (PNSAC); – Lack of coordination and communication between the departments responsible for airport security; – Insufficient individual means of communication (GTA, Cave Canem, etc.).

Source of Information

http://www.gpiaa.gov.pt/wwwbase/wwwinclude/ficheiro.aspx?tipo=0&id=10879&ambiente=WebSiteMenuhttp://www.gpiaa.gov.pt/wwwbase/wwwinclude/ficheiro.aspx?tipo=0&id=10879&ambiente=WebSiteMenu

Primary Cause

Failure to adequately address safety and security protocols, resulting in insufficient training and coordination among airport security personnel.Failure to adequately address safety and security protocols, resulting in insufficient training and coordination among airport security personnel.

Share on: