AAIU issues report into EI-DVF / EI-NFW

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport has issued a final report into an incident involving Aer Lingus A320 EI-DVF and Galway Flying clubs Cessna 172S EI-NFW. The incident occurred at Knock Airport on May 28 2009. On the day of the incident the Cessna was flying from Galway Carmore Airport ot Knock to have some maintenance work carried out. On entry to the Connaught Zone the pilot of the Cessna was aware from listening to radio transmissions from Knock Tower that an Aer Lingus aircraft was starting up and preparing to taxi for departure.

The Cessna pilot offered to orbit East of the field to allow the aircraft depart but the duty controller declined the offer and instructed the aircraft to route direct to the field and land clso to the 09 end of R27. The pilot acknowledged the instruction and next called on base leg for R27. ATC advised that he had him in sight and asked that he 'land long, traffic backtracking', to which the pilot replied 'affirmative'.

ATC then advised the A320, EI-DVF of the Cessna landing long. The Aer Lingus pilot made no comment and ATC continued to issue the airways clearance for London Gatwick. While the clearance was being given and read back the Cessna landed over the top of the stationary Airbus.

The Controller had his ratings suspended to allow a structured de-brief by the IAA and the investigation by the IAA take place. Following corrective action he had his ratings reinstated.

The Cessna pilot thought that whilst the circumstances of the landing were unusual he complied with the instructions of the controller who he felt was being helpful. The Aer Lingus pilot made no comment to ATC at the time of the incident. He subsequently wrote a report ot his company on return to Dublin.

The AAIU in it's report says that 'Aviation Safety is not one dimensional, nor is ATC responsible for safety alone. Pilots bear an equal share of this responsibility and a healthy and professional interaction ensues between pilots and ATC. On this occasion that neither pilot saw fit to question the ATC clearance or express any concern was an unfortunate lapse in airmanship.'