Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

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pelmet
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Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

Even of you have somehow got the wrong runway that you are to use into your mind, you still require a specific clearance to cross a runway.

"N9017P, an Airbus 319-100 aircraft operated by American Airlines, was conducting flight AAL2589
from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl (CYYZ), ON to Miami Intl (KMIA), FL. During the taxi out for
the departure from CYYZ, Ground Control authorized AAL2589 to taxi for a departure on Runway
06L, which was read back correctly by the flight crew. After switching to the Tower frequency,
AAL2589 reported that they were taxiing to Runway 06R. The incorrect runway read back was not
noticed by the Tower controller, who continued on to state that they had one more aircraft to land
prior to allowing AAL2589 to depart. AAL2589 proceeded to taxi across 06L and held short of the
06R ILS hold line, which resulted in the aircraft occupying Runway 06L. No clearance was given to
AAL2589 to cross a runway, and the only south complex runway in use at the time was 06L. The
Tower controller directed C-FYIY, an Airbus 319-100 aircraft operated by Air Canada rouge,
conducting flight ROU1671 from Orlando Intl (KMCO), FL to CYYZ, to pull up and go around as
there was traffic on the runway. When queried on the radio, the flight crew of AAL2589 stated that
they believed they were cleared to taxi to Runway 06R, and were holding short of the ILS hold line
as the weather conditions warranted."



All that being said, I have run into an odd but slightly different situation regarding closed runways. One of the airports I have been flying out of has five runways(and multiple intersections). It is quite a complex airfield for taxiing. Two of the five runways runways are permanently closed(although I don't know the specific terminology for their status when I initially started flying there or now that things have changed a bit). Both of the closed had to be crossed/entered to get to the run-up area. Initially, one of them still required a clearance to cross the runway even though it had sandbags on it and I was told by an instructor that people got in trouble for not getting a clearance. Oddly, no clearance was required to go onto the other closed runway and in fact, the run-ups were done on that second closed runway. Later on, that first closed runway was decommissioned(not sure if that is the correct terminology) and a clearance was no longer required to cross.

But it has left me a bit paranoid about getting a clearance to cross even a closed runway. So when I flew to a different airport a few weeks ago to which has three runways with one notamed as being closed(and it is a permanent closure), I asked if I was cleared to cross the runway when I got the taxi clearance. The controller seemed to have a slight tone of sarcasm(as if I should know that I don't need a clearance to cross) when he stated that the runway is permanently closed. Maybe I should know but I'll just remain paranoid and ask whenever the situation arises.
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Last edited by pelmet on Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
iflyforpie
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by iflyforpie »

You also need clearance to exit onto any runway. With closed runways (NOTAMed closed but available as a taxiway) this is often a grey area as well.
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Geez did I say that....? Or just think it....?
pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

iflyforpie wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:33 pm You also need clearance to exit onto any runway. With closed runways (NOTAMed closed but available as a taxiway) this is often a grey area as well.
Thanks,

I suppose that you are correct(maybe it is written in the AIM, not sure). Best to double check.
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Victory
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by Victory »

Do you talk to ATC the same way you title threads? Like when you are ready to taxi do you say, "You should always clear AC123 to taxi..." ?
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pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

Victory wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:18 am Do you talk to ATC the same way you title threads? Like when you are ready to taxi do you say, "You should always clear AC123 to taxi..." ?
There really are some unusual people on this forum(aside from me). Three responses in three different threads that add nothing to the discussion except to complain about the wording of my titles.

Do you never have anything to add except complaints instead of intelligent discussion to help prevent an incident. I looked at your posts and your background makes it seem like you could actually add a lot to these threads if you had the desire.

The other person who responded brought up an important point that is worth further discussion and you can’t seem to be able to get beyond my wording of thread titles.

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1078301

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 7#p1079317
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Last edited by pelmet on Sun Jun 09, 2019 3:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

For those particularly concerned about the wording of my title(if there really is anyone else), I just try to make it on topic as to what happened.

Some of you might have read the articles by Peter Garrison in Flying magazine.

While I would never consider myself to be anywhere near his level of writing, I have never seen anyone write into the magazine about the titles of his articles.

Here are a couple that are a similar to style to mine. I believe he has a similar desire to prevent future accidents. And there are no doubt many more similar article titles out there from all the aviation safety material.

https://www.flyingmag.com/technique/acc ... nd-and-air

https://www.flyingmag.com/aftermath-the-unnoticed

I look forward to thoughtful replies such as what Iflyforpie did. I certainly hope Victory could do similar.

By the way, both articles I linked to are quite interesting and worth a read.
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Last edited by pelmet on Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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rookiepilot
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by rookiepilot »

pelmet wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 3:41 pm
Some of you might have read the articles by Peter Garrison in Flying magazine.

While I would never consider myself to be anywhere near his level of writing,

I believe he has a similar desire to prevent future accidents. And there are no doubt many more similar article titles out there from all the aviation safety’s material.
Correct on both of your statements. Peter Garrison is very worthwhile reading.

Go right to the source of his Aftermath articles: https://www.flyingmag.com/tags/aftermath
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pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

Does anyone know if the AIM or regulation says that you must get a clearance from ATC to exit from the landing runway onto another runway?
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Last edited by pelmet on Tue Nov 17, 2020 9:09 pm, edited 3 times in total.
kevenv
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by kevenv »

pelmet wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:45 pm Does anyone know if the AIM or regulation says that you must get a clearance from ATC to exit from the landing runway onto another runway?
In the AIM - 4.4.4 - Taxiing, page 238: No aircraft shall exit a runway onto another runway unless instructed or authorized to do so by ATC.
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photofly
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by photofly »

kevenv wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:31 am
pelmet wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:45 pm Does anyone know if the AIM or regulation says that you must get a clearance from ATC to exit from the landing runway onto another runway?
In the AIM - 4.4.4 - Taxiing, page 238: No aircraft shall exit a runway onto another runway unless instructed or authorized to do so by ATC.
Weird. It used to say "no aircraft should..."

I wonder what prompted the change.
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DId you hear the one about the jurisprudence fetishist? He got off on a technicality.
pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

photofly wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:11 am
kevenv wrote: Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:31 am
pelmet wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 4:45 pm Does anyone know if the AIM or regulation says that you must get a clearance from ATC to exit from the landing runway onto another runway?
In the AIM - 4.4.4 - Taxiing, page 238: No aircraft shall exit a runway onto another runway unless instructed or authorized to do so by ATC.
Weird. It used to say "no aircraft should..."

I wonder what prompted the change.
Thanks guys. Appreciate the very helpful input. I suspect that AIM modifications can be based on violations or pilots getting escaping a violation because of the wording of things such as this.
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'97 Tercel
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by '97 Tercel »

Victory wrote: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:18 am Do you talk to ATC the same way you title threads? Like when you are ready to taxi do you say, "You should always clear AC123 to taxi..." ?

What?
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pelmet
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by pelmet »

Here is an interesting similar event where the crew held short of a parallel runway when the controller became confused about their position. Ensuring that they had the clearance to cross saved a potential accident. Good to ensure that the controller gives the clearance....

https://aviationweek.com/business-aviat ... 86036c304f

"A Gulfstream GIV-SP of the Swedish Air Force with four crewmembers and four passengers on board was parked on the northern apron of Berlin-Tegel Airport (EDDT) on Jan. 12, 2007. An IFR flight plan from Tegel to Bremen, Germany, had been filed and was ready for the crew when they showed up at the airplane.

The crew completed normal preflight procedures and called for engine start. They simultaneously requested to use Runway 26R for the later takeoff. To help understand the situation that followed, know that there were two parking places involved, the northern and southern aprons. The two ramp areas are separated by dual east-west (8-26) runways. Of the two, 26R is the longer runway at 9,918 ft., while 26L is 7,966 ft. Both runways are 151 ft. wide.

In this incident, airplanes eventually are cleared from both parking areas to the line-up end of Runway 26R and 26L.

The terminal buildings for civil aviation are located to the south of the two runways. The airport tower is also located to the south of the runway. Military aircraft generally use the northern apron and from there Taxiway NE goes in an easterly direction. Initially parallel to the runway, it then turns to the southeast and eventually due south as it approaches the dual runways. From the southern apron, Taxiway SE goes in an easterly direction to Runway 26L and 26R.

The weather on that winter day was not a factor. Even though a light rain was falling, the cloud bases were basically few at 1,000 ft. with scattered to broken at 2,700 and 3,200 ft. Visibility was 10+ kt. The temperature was a crisp 45F and the dew point was 37C with an altimeter of 1014.

In command of the Gulfstream was a military-rated 54-year-old pilot, typed in the GIV-SP for over 12 years. He had more than 6,000 hr. experience in the airplane and in the previous 73 days had flown 73 hr. and performed 20 landings.

The 40-year-old copilot had been in the Swedish Air Force for four years. He held a military pilot license and had been typed in the GIV for over two years at the time of the incident. He had over 3,500 hr. in the airplane and had also flown 73 hr. and 20 landings in the previous 90 days. (Apparently, to their credit, the Swedes take the crew concept seriously. — RD)

The ground controller had held a controller license for well over 16 years at the time of the incident.

All of the conversations between ATC and the crew were recorded and are available through German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU) records. The airfield surface movement radar recordings were not available to the BFU. According to the air navigation service provider, the radar data had been recorded but was deleted 10 days after the incident due to storage capacity reasons.

The 12-year-old aircraft was equipped with an FDR and CVR.

Debriefing of the crew showed that the PIC was also to be the PF on this leg, while the copilot was the monitoring pilot and handling PNF duties. Darkness had settled when they started their taxi, with the copilot talking to the controller. While taxiing to the lineup end of the runways, the controller asked the crew if they would like to use 26L for departure as she would be able to get them off quicker from that runway. Naturally the crew accepted that proposal.

As the Gulfstream was approaching the hold short area on the north side of the runways, the pilots were instructed to contact Tegel tower. Later, when the ground controller was debriefed, she stated that there had been no coordination discussion between her and the tower controller concerning the Gulfstream. This coordination discussion was standard procedure for aircraft coming from the northern apron. Due to an incorrect assumption by the ground controller that the GIV was on the south side of the runways, this discussion did not take place. As a result, the ground controller passed on her confusion and lack of situational awareness to the tower controller.

After the transfer took the traffic away from the ground controller, she shifted her attention back to some activity that was occurring on the southern side of the airport.

Due to the lack of coordination, the ground controller was not aware the tower had cleared another airplane to land on 26R. She later assessed the air traffic volume prevailing at her workstation at the time of the incident as “low.” She further stated that the workload for the previous few hours had been what she would describe as “medium.” Taped conversions confirmed that in the time between when the Gulfstream taxied and when it came to a stop to clear up the confusion, the tower had talked to seven airplanes through 29 radio transmissions. The tower controller stated that she considered the traffic situation “rather complex.” There was also a seam or pillar in the tower’s glass glazing that blocked the visibility of the NE CAT II/III holding position.

Subsequently it was confirmed that at the point of initial contact, the tower controller assumed the Gulfstream calling was the aircraft taxiing to the end of 26L from the southern parking area. In fact, that airplane had already been transferred to tower control. It was “usual operating procedures” for aircraft coming from the south side for takeoff on 26L be transferred to the tower without coordination.

It was later determined that the controller could have assumed by the call sign “Swedforce” that the airplane was coming from the military apron on the north side of the runways as this was the customary parking place for military operations. Unfortunately, the controller assumed that the aircraft transmitting as “Swedforce” was on the south side of the complex.

Further review of the tapes verified the GIV crew’s feeling that their airplane had been spotted and its position was known to the ATC controllers. The confusion, on the part of the copilot, is assumed by the safety agency as he requested confirmation that their clearance for Runway 26L had not included the permission to cross 26R. In looking around, the crew noticed the aircraft approaching 26R and one of those aircraft requesting a “wind check.”

“Tower Swedforce . . . approaching CAT three holding runway two six right.” The tower controller then cleared the aircraft to “line up on runway two six left.” The copilot answered with “line up, eh, runway two six left . . . and tower . . . confirm cleared to cross.”

The controller responded, “There is no need to cross two, eh, just line up runway two six left.” The copilot answered “Line up, eh, two six left. . . .”

Less than 4 sec. later, the crew of the airplane on final approach to 26R requested another “wind check.” The requested information was passed.

The other airplane, which was taxiing from the southern apron on taxiway SE in an easterly direction, contacted tower at about this time.

“Tegel tower . . . taxiing to the holding point runway two six left.” The controller asked, “Please confirm do you request two six right for departure or do you want to depart on the left side?” The situational furball was wound very tight at that time.

The PIC of the Gulfstream realized the situation was not right and that his copilot was confused by the received clearance and had queried the controller. This caused him to stop the aircraft. When he looked toward the final approach area of 26R he noticed several approaching aircraft. He estimated the first of them was extremely close and therefore kept his plane motionless as he tried to take in the problem unfolding. Finally, he felt it necessary to take over the communications from the copilot and transmitted.

“This is Swedforce. We are coming from the military apron and to get to the two six left, we need to cross two six right.” The controller, after a brief pause, came back with “Ah, Swedforce. . . I am sorry, so I want you to hold short of runway two six right please.”

The crew acknowledged the instruction, and in the debriefing made it clear the pilot in command had brought the airplane to a stop well before the required position on Runway 26R. The tower controller later confirmed she had assumed the Gulfstream was taxiing from the southern side of the runways.

The BFU later stated the lack of surface radar recordings prevented determining if the radar had been read correctly by the controller, but they felt the transmissions made and the positions given should have alerted her to the location and direction of the taxiing GIV on that radar.

The BFU found the cause of the incident was ATC issuing a clearance on the basis of inadequate situational awareness. It felt the restricted view from the tower of the area involved and insufficient use of the airfield surface movement radar contributed to what could have been disastrous."
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Eric Janson
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Re: Cleared to Taxi to a rwy is not a clearance to cross any rwy

Post by Eric Janson »

As the above incident shows how important it is to advise ATC where you are on the airport when:-

-Requesting start up
-Requesting taxi if there is a frequency change (from Delivery or similar).
-Anytime something doesn't feel 'right'

Good job by the crew - this could have ended very differently.
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