Vehicle on Runway as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI Lands at Moranbah Airport

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced an investigation into an 'air-ground communications event' involving a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72, and a ground vehicle, at Moranbah Airport last Wednesday 5 March.

VARA ATR 72-500 VH-FVM at Moranbah Airport last year  (File photo)

The ATR 72-500 - registered VH-FVI - was operating a scheduled service into Moranbah for Virgin as VOZ1665 from Brisbane.  The aircraft landed at Moranbah while the aerodrome safety car was on the runway.

According to the ATSB, "the flight crew and vehicle driver reported not hearing any radio calls".  As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview the flight crew, vehicle driver, and gather additional information.  A report will be released within several months.

Meanwhile, the ATSB is close to releasing the final report into an investigation also involving a VARA ATR 72 which, making an approach at Moranbah Airport in May 2013, descended to a level that activated the aircraft's Terrain Alert Warning System (TAWS).  The flight crew were attempting to maintain a visual approach into Moranbah, however found the cloud base difficult to judge, resulting in the TAWS alerts.