Runway incursion — Boeing 737 and vehicle at Melbourne Airport

Summary

A runway incursion occurred at Melbourne Airport when an airside maintenance vehicle entered runway 27 without ATC clearance while a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 was on approach at approximately 1.5 nm final. ATC instructed the 737 to conduct a go-around. The vehicle was instructed to exit the runway immediately. Minimum separation between the aircraft and the vehicle was estimated at 600 m.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Vehicle driver had misheard the ATC instruction 'hold short of runway 27' as 'cross runway 27'.
2. 02The vehicle was not equipped with a runway incursion warning system.
3. 03Airservices Australia subsequently mandated runway incursion warning transponders for all airside vehicles at Class-A airports.
4. 04Melbourne Airport implemented additional readback requirements for runway entry clearances.