Category I runways that are wider than 50 m and without centreline lighting are over-represented in veer-off occurrences involving transport category aircraft landing in low visibility conditions. The installation of centreline lighting on wider category I runways is recommended but not mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 14.
The ATSB acknowledges that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sent the ATSB safety recommendation to a relevant ICAO Panel of experts for consideration. However, as the panel recommended no change to the Annex (due to several concerns such as cost), the safety issue remains not addressed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the International Civil Aviation Organization review the effectiveness of Annex 14, recommendation 5.3.12.2 (for the installation of runway centreline lighting on Category I runways that are wider than 50 m), given that Category I runways that are wider than 50 m and without centreline lighting are over-represented in veer-off occurrences involving transport category aircraft landing in low visibility conditions.
On 19 July 2019, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stated:
The Visual Aids Working Group (VAWG) of the Aerodrome Design and Operation Panel (ADOP) discussed the issue and concluded that the proposal to upgrade the requirement in paragraph 5.3.12.2 from a Recommendation to a Standard may not be the best solution in light of several concerns such as the cost benefit of such a proposal. Some States, including Australia, had adopted ICAO Recommendations into their national regulations such as the provision in question. In addition, being a joint civil/military aerodrome, there was concern if facilities and services had, in fact, been provided in accordance with Annex 14, Volume I requirements. Giving due cognizance that coordination is paramount between the civil and military components of joint-use civil/military aerodromes, the Manual on Certification of Aerodromes (Doc 9774) specifies that the regulations of a State should include provisions for the use of military aerodromes by civil aircraft as part of its regulatory framework for aerodrome certification.
The ATSB acknowledges that ICAO sent the ATSB safety recommendation to a relevant ICAO Panel of experts for consideration. However, as the panel recommended no change to the Annex (due to several concerns such as cost), the safety issue remains not addressed.
