The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final investigation report into the serious incident at Perth Airport, WA on 9 May 2008, involving an approach and landing by a Boeing Company 737-800, registered PK-GEF, during a period of planned runway works.
The ATSB report found that the permanent runway 21 threshold and touchdown markings were not required to be obscured and were clearly visible to the flight crew. Those markings continued to provide approach and landing cues to the normal touchdown zone, which was located within the runway works area. The use of 6 m closed runway markings, in lieu of 36 m markings as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), increased the risk of a flight crew conducting a visual approach to the still-visible permanent threshold/touchdown area.
The report outlines a number of differences between the closed runway markings as recommended by ICAO Annex 14 Aerodromes, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 Aerodromes.
A number of safety issues were identified as a result of the ATSB investigation. Safety action undertaken by the aircraft operator, the airport operator, and CASA in response to those safety issues should, when completed, reduce the risk of a similar event in the future.
Copies of the report can be downloaded from the ATSB's internet site at www.atsb.gov.au or obtained from the ATSB by telephoning 1800 020 616.