NEW YORK- A Turkish Airlines (TK) Airbus A350-900 (A359), registration TC-LGL, entered the active runway at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) without clearance while preparing for a flight to Istanbul Airport (IST).
The crew of Turkish Airlines Flight TK30 was instructed to taxi via Taxiway B and expect Runway 4L. Instead, the aircraft entered Runway 4L via Taxiway N, prompting the tower to intervene while Delta Air Lines Flight 2552 was cleared to land on the same runway.
Turkish Airlines A350 Enters Runway 4L Without Clearance
The incident involved Turkish Airlines Flight TK30, operating from Newark Liberty International Airport to Istanbul Airport. The Airbus A350-900 was registered TC-LGL and was operating under the flight identification THY4YT.
After contacting ground control, the Turkish Airlines crew received taxi instructions to proceed via Taxiway B and was told to expect Runway 4L for departure.
The crew correctly read back the runway and taxi instructions. Shortly afterward, the aircraft was told it would be next for departure and was asked to advise when ready.
The crew subsequently contacted the tower and reported that it was ready for departure. The tower controller then asked whether the aircraft was able to continue toward the runway, and the crew confirmed that it could.
The controller instructed the aircraft to continue toward the runway.
A350 Enters the Active Runway
The situation became apparent when the Turkish Airlines A350 entered Runway 4L without receiving clearance to enter the runway.
At the time, Delta Air Lines Flight 2552 was approaching Runway 4L. The Delta Boeing aircraft had been cleared to land on the runway.
The tower controller contacted Turkish Airlines and confirmed that the A350 was on Runway 4L.
The crew acknowledged the situation and referred to a technical difficulty. The controller then informed the crew that Turkish Airlines had not been cleared onto Runway 4L and instructed the aircraft to exit the runway when able.
The controller initially requested that the crew turn left when possible. The A350 continued along the runway before receiving instructions to exit via Taxiway Echo.
The crew read back the instruction and turned onto Taxiway E.
Delta Flight Remained Cleared to Land
While the Turkish Airlines A350 was still on the runway, the tower continued coordinating with Delta Air Lines Flight 2552.
The controller advised Delta that the aircraft remained cleared to land on Runway 4L and that the Turkish Airlines aircraft would be vacating the runway.
Delta acknowledged the instruction.
The Turkish Airlines A350 subsequently exited Runway 4L via Taxiway Echo. The controller then instructed the crew to make a left turn onto Echo, followed by a second left turn onto Taxiway Alpha, and to hold short of Taxiway Charlie.
The crew read back the instructions.
The controller also asked whether the crew needed assistance and whether everything was all right. The Turkish Airlines crew responded that it was checking calculations and would provide an update shortly.
Controller Flags Possible Pilot Deviation
After resolving the issue, the Turkish Airlines crew contacted the tower again and said it could continue.
The crew asked whether it could use Alpha Alpha to reach the departure position.
The tower controller advised that there was a possible pilot deviation and said a telephone number would be provided to the crew.
The aircraft was subsequently instructed to continue via Alpha Alpha and hold short as directed. The controller then confirmed that the crew had received the telephone number associated with the reported deviation.
The exchange indicates that the runway entry was being treated by the tower as a potential pilot deviation.
Turkish Airlines A350 Later Cleared for Takeoff
After the aircraft repositioned for departure, the tower provided additional departure instructions.
The Turkish Airlines crew was told to follow the second aircraft to its left, identified by the controller as a United Airlines heavy aircraft.
The controller also issued a wake turbulence caution because of the preceding departure.
Turkish Airlines Flight TK30 was then cleared for takeoff from Runway 4L.
The crew acknowledged the clearance and began its departure to Istanbul.
What Happened at Newark Airport
The radio exchange shows that the aircraft had originally been instructed to taxi via Taxiway B and expect Runway 4L. The crew later entered Runway 4L without a specific clearance to enter the runway.
The controller identified the issue before the Turkish Airlines aircraft departed and coordinated the situation with the arriving Delta flight.
The A350 was instructed to vacate the runway, reposition through the taxiway system and subsequently return to the departure sequence.
The controller also informed the crew that the event could constitute a pilot deviation and provided a telephone contact for follow-up.
The available radio communication does not establish the exact reason why the crew entered Runway 4L via the wrong taxiway. The crew referred to a technical difficulty and later said it was checking calculations, but the recording does not provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to the runway entry.
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