Qantas jet in landing scare
A federal investigation has been launched into a runway scare at Perth Airport on Saturday.
A Qantas pilot aborted a landing just after midday after spotting a vehicle on the runway.
The plane, a Boeing 717, departed Karratha about 10am.
The vehicle belonged to a Perth Airport airfield safety officer, who was conducting a routine runway inspection at the time.
A Qantas spokeswoman said it appeared air traffic controllers had incorrectly granted access to both the plane and the vehicle.
She said the crew of Qantas flight 1921 initiated a “go-around” when they saw the vehicle on the runway, about one kilometre away.
“A go-around is a common and safe practice that pilots are trained to undertake and is part of procedure in instances like this,” she said.
“Early indications are that QF1921 was cleared to land by air traffic control while the runway was occupied by an airport vehicle.
“The aircraft later landed safely.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be interviewing the pilot, the airfield safety officer and air traffic controllers as part of an investigation into the scare.
The findings are expected to be released in October.
