And now, A Few More Words On Runway Incursions

Flying Safety, July, 2001 by Kevin Elliott

For mishap prevention purposes, the HQ Air Force Safety Center tracks, categorizes and assigns causal factors for all HATRs (Hazardous Air Traffic Reports). HATR reporting also covers ground incidents like runway incursions and movement area violations. Per AFI 91-202, The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program, Attachment 3, "Hazardous Air Traffic Report (HATR) Program," a "Ground Incident" is defined as "Any occurrence, including vehicle operations, on the movement area that endangered an airborne aircraft or an aircraft on the ground." The chart depicts Ground Incident HATRs from CY95 through CY00.

Since 1998, the number of reported USAF Ground Incident HATRs has been steadily increasing. All of these hazards to flight safety were caused by human error. Vehicles driving onto runways without tower approval caused the majority of these HATRs. Other reasons cited as causal in the increasing frequency of runway incursions included:

* Not hearing controller instructions correctly;

* Not knowing approval to cross a runway was needed;

* Getting lost and wandering onto a runway; and

* Believing approval to cross a runway was given when it wasn't.

The runway environment is a dangerous place where attention to detail--and ATC instructions--is of crucial importance. One mistake could be deadly. US Federal Aviation Administration statistics for the last eight years reflect a similar alarming rise in runway incursion rates. This is especially important info for the military aviator, since many of you transit more civilian airfields than ever before. Regardless of airfield type, a collision on the ground with a vehicle can be just as deadly as a midair collision

The bottom line? Whether you're an aviator or someone whose job requires work in the runway environment, listen up! If you don't understand or aren't 100 percent sure you clearly heard ATC controller instructions, two little words can keep you--and others--out of harm's way. Those two simple words? "Say Again." ATC would be happy to repeat that last transmission to keep you off the runway and out of danger. Fly Safe! And Drive Safe, too!

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