It has been confirmed by airport authorities that the crash on the 8th of October at Milan's Linate airport between a SAS MD87 and a Cessna happened because the Cessna was in the 'wrong position'. It crossed the main runway into the path of the SAS MD87 just as the MD87 was becoming airborne. It may be some time before official investigations are concluded. Some newpaper editorials and politicians are blaming the airport authorities at Linate for the crash, which is the worst in both Italy's and SAS's history.

From what I can gather from various sources:-

Because of heavy fog, it was probably impossible for the SAS crew to see the smaller plane before it was too late.

The ground radar at Linate, which might have helped prevent the accident, was not in service at the time.

There are many airports that operate without ground radar, even in foggy conditions. Apparently it can be done safely.

It seems that there are standard procedures for operating under foggy conditions. Such procedures include prohibiting aircraft from crossing runways. Instead they must always go around the runway by using perimeter access ways. It's been reported that the control tower had ordered the Cessna to do exactly that.

It would also seem doubtful that the pilots of the Cessna missunderstood the tower's request, especially as it would have been the standard way to manouver in such foggy conditions.

So it would appear that the Cessna pilots simply took a wrong turn.

It's happened before and I guess it will happen again. The combination of poor visibility and a wrong turn.



[This message has been edited by Austman (edited 10-09-2001).]