Investigation Summary
Flight 7933 was completing a multi-leg journey from Hong Kong via Azerbaijan and Spain. At the time of arrival in Luxembourg, the airport was operating under low-visibility conditions. Simultaneously, a maintenance van was positioned on Runway 24 to service the runway lighting system. Air Traffic Control (ATC) cleared the 747 to land, failing to ensure that the maintenance crew and their vehicle had vacated the active runway. The aircraft touched down and its landing gear struck the roof of the van. The impact caused substantial damage to the vehicle, but the driver managed to survive with minor injuries. The flight crew was able to maintain control and taxi the aircraft to the parking area. The investigation highlighted that the airport lacked technical equipment, such as a surface movement radar or automated incursions warnings, that could have alerted controllers to the presence of the vehicle. Furthermore, the coordination protocols between the ATC tower and the maintenance department were found to be inadequate for managing runway access during active flight operations.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the failure of Air Traffic Control to ensure the runway was clear before authorizing a landing. Contributing factors included inadequate coordination between ATC and the airport maintenance department, the inappropriate decision to perform maintenance on an active runway during low visibility, and a lack of technical surveillance equipment to detect runway incursions.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Air Traffic Control Coordination
The procedural link between the tower and ground maintenance intended to ensure runway sterility during arrivals and departures.
Surface Movement Surveillance
The investigation noted a lack of technical equipment, such as ground radar, which could have provided controllers with the position of vehicles on the runway.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft involved, LX-OCV (MSN 29731/1222), was manufactured in 1999.
- 02The aircraft was later involved in another major accident at Luxembourg on May 14, 2023 (Flight CV6857), where the right-hand body landing gear separated during touchdown due to the failure of the upper bearing carrier.
- 03The maintenance van sustained substantial damage to its roof and structure.
- 04The accident occurred during low-visibility conditions which hindered visual acquisition of the vehicle by the flight crew.
- 05The driver of the van was the only person injured, sustaining minor injuries.
Safety Actions & Advisories
ATC and Maintenance Protocol Review
Procedures for runway maintenance were revised to ensure better coordination and to restrict non-essential work on active runways during low-visibility operations.