# Key Takeaways - Is the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft. - Planning and preparation are the best mitigations for runway incursions # Details #### Example #1 Serious runway incursion incident in Providence, RI, 2013. > [!youtube] Published by [[Air Safety Institute]] >  #### Example #2 In 2017 at an airport in Orange County (KSNA), Harrison Ford accidentally landed on taxiway Charlie, to the left of runway 20L. A Boeing 737 was holding short of 20L on the taxiway when Ford overflew them. From *[Aviation International News](https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2017-05-16/faa-opts-out-punishment-harrison-ford-taxiway-landing)*: > After a long period of silence [after landing]—about two minutes—on the recording, Ford asks: “Tower, 9HU, was that airliner airplane supposed to be underneath me?” > > The controller responded: “N89HU, negative, he’s holding short of 20L, you landed on Charlie.” > > ... > > After Ford was cleared to taxi to the Signature East FBO, he was told, “And Husky 9HU, possible pilot deviation, and I need you to call the tower, advise when you have a pen ready to copy a number.” He acknowledged then copied the tower phone number. #### Risks and Mitigations **Risks:** - "Although vehicles, pedestrians, and air traffic controllers are responsible for some incursions, pilot deviations are cited in more than 60% of all incursion events. If we drill down further, we’ll also see that ***incursions are largely a general aviation problem*** with more than half occurring in GA operations conducted under 14 CFR part 91." - [[Runway Safety]] - Several factors lead to runway incursions: - lack of situational awareness (unfamiliar airport or airport markings) - distractions (chatty passengers or being heads down with an electronic device) - fatigue (physical or mental) **Mitigations:** In short: better planning and preparation. - Familiarize yourself with the airport diagram and likely taxi routes through airport - Review all NOTAMs for the airport - Write down taxi instructions as they are given, and read them back - Exercise a [[Sterile Cockpit]] - Review and understand [[Filed/Hotspot|hotspots]], which can be found in airport diagrams ([[KSNA Airport Diagram with Hotspots.pdf|example]]), the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) ([[KSNA Hotspot Descriptions.jpeg|example]]), and instrument approach books - Know and watch for runway hold position markings ([[Runway Hold Position Marking.png|image]]). If you haven't been cleared to cross it (or you aren't sure), hold short (with no part of the airplane over the first line) and ask. - Even when given instructions to "cross" a runway, or to "line up and wait", or to depart, pause at the hold-short position and look both ways. Trust but verify! - If in doubt about your route or where you are: **STOP!** It's ok to ask the controller or request [[progressive taxi]] instructions. # Additional Resources - [[PHAK Ch14]] pages 14-31 - 14-36 - [[AIM 2]] Section 2-3, Airport Marking Aids and Signs - [[FAA Website on Runway Incursions]] - [[Runway Safety]] ## FAA Definition ***Definition*** :: Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft. ***Source*** :: [[FAA Website on Runway Incursions]] #glossary #concept