An Embarrassing Lesson

Taxiing and flying an airplane will always involve some degree of multi-tasking, but this C172 pilot learned an embarrassing lesson when the “heads-down” usage of an electronic tablet conflicted with the “heads-up” requirements of safe taxiing.

■ We were cleared by Ground to taxi on the outer ramp area to Taxiway Bravo to Runway 22 and hold short. It’s a “no-brainer” taxi route and there were no other aircraft taxiing out. I was with another pilot and was showing him the information I had available on my iPad with ForeFlight. I was showing how I had the enroute charts for our trip and then went to the checklists, also on the iPad. I was definitely multi-tasking as I taxied and demonstrated the software. I was aware of the runway area approaching but missed the hold short line until Ground said, “[Callsign], stop. Stop!”

I would never dream of texting on my phone while driving, but wasn’t this sort of the same thing? There was no traffic for the runway, but it was still an embarrassing lesson learned.

Texting While Tired

Several factors led this B737 Flight Crew to miss a taxiway turn on the last flight of a long duty day. The First Officer’s report includes a “texting while taxiing” factor that involved inputting data in the FMS.

Texting in the Tower

Distraction due to “texting” is not a problem that only affects pilots. This Tower Controller reported that the requirement to be “heads-down” entering flight plan and route information into a Flight Data system can detract from the job of keeping an eye on aircraft and other factors affecting air traffic.

■ I instructed Air Carrier X to taxi from the terminal ramp to Runway 8 via Taxiways Foxtrot and Mike, and to hold short of Taxiway Juliet (for an aircraft that I knew would be exiting the runway). The pilot of Air Carrier X read back the instructions at the same time that Air Carrier Y was on final reporting birds. While I was typing in the Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system, attempting to amend a flight plan, I looked up and observed Aircraft X on Taxiway Foxtrot, on the West side of Runway 17R, facing West. The aircraft had obviously just crossed Runway 17R at Taxiway Foxtrot. I advised the aircraft that he had gone the wrong way; instructed the aircraft to turn around (holding short of the runway), then proceeded with traffic as normal. The pilot made no indication that he knew he had even made a mistake. There was another landing aircraft on about a six mile final.

Maybe there should be more awareness and less complacency on the part of pilots. Just because it’s a low activity time doesn’t mean that the same hazards of collision do not exist…. The same goes for Controllers. Also, amending just one flight plan requires “heads-down” time as does amending routes. This takes away (since we work Local/Ground/Flight Data combined a majority of the time, no matter what the traffic situation is) from the Controller’s ability to spot those pesky “little things” like flocks of geese on final, jets crossing the runway, etc…. Combined positions are a very poor practice, requiring the Local Controller to take his eyes out of the air and away from the runways and aircraft, to perform required duties of two other positions at the same time.

Driver Goes Through a "Stop Sign"

The First Officer of an MD-80 series aircraft was “texting” to accommodate a runway change when the Captain “drove” past the hold short line and onto an active runway.

■ We were told to taxi to Runway 12…. We had planned on a Runway 8L departure. After clearance was received from ground, we re-briefed a Runway 12 via Papa taxi. When we were both clear on the instructions, we started our taxi on Taxiway Papa. The Captain stated he had the taxi under control down Papa to Runway 12. I then diverted my attention inside the cockpit to change the box to match Runway 12 not 8L. I was “heads-down” when the Captain drove the aircraft onto Runway 12 at Intersection Sierra. Before I realized the situation, it was too late. We crossed the hold line and onto an active runway.

The Captain stated that a lack of proper signs in that area led to the mistake. I have been to that area of the airport and no one has ever made the mistake to veer off Taxiway Papa. That is why I was changing the box early to be more heads-up later in the taxi. Never losing track of your position is the best solution to this event.

Off Road Excursion

An extra pair of eyes on the taxiway might have helped this B767 Captain keep the aircraft “on the road.”

■ I was taxiing on the ramp area leading up to the taxiway and initiated a right turn to enter onto the taxiway. Halfway through the turn I felt a shudder and side load that did not seem normal. I stopped the airplane and asked the First Officer to contact Tower and Maintenance to tell them of our situation. Maintenance informed me that the right main gear was partially on the taxiway and partially on the grass. After realizing that we were stuck, I informed the passengers and Flight Attendants of the situation as well as Operations.

The First Officer was “heads-down” inputting ACARS data and receiving the load close out when the incident occurred. Lesson learned: two “heads-up” are better than one.