What happened?
On 25 February 2025, a QantasLink DHC‑8‑315 aircraft departed Mildura before first light. During the turn to line up on runway 09, the crew inadvertently positioned the aircraft along the right edge of the runway rather than the centreline. The aircraft commenced take-off from this misaligned position and struck several runway edge lights with the nose landing gear. The crew later recognised the issue in the climb, conducted checks, and completed the flight safely with only minor damage to the aircraft.
Why it happened
The incident was primarily caused by reduced situational awareness during line-up. In dark conditions, the crew did not follow taxi guidance markings and instead turned too early, positioning the aircraft near the runway edge. At the same time, both pilots focused on completing internal checklist “ready checks,” which diverted attention away from monitoring the aircraft’s position. Visual cues were limited, and the captain misinterpreted runway edge lights as centreline lighting. As both crew believed they were correctly aligned, the take-off was initiated from the wrong position.
Contributing factors included dark ambient conditions, misleading visual cues, and divided attention, while additional risks involved conducting a low pass without formal procedures and the captain’s use of non-prescribed medication (though impairment was considered unlikely).
Safety actions and recommendations
No formal recommendations were issued, but QantasLink implemented several safety actions:
- Enhanced human factors and threat-awareness training
- Updated airport documentation to improve understanding of runway layout
- Issued a policy prohibiting checklist completion during runway turns
- Provided guidance on departure briefings and risk identification
- Introduced procedures addressing low passes and associated risks
- Reviewed fatigue risk management practices
The incident highlights how distraction, poor visibility, and reliance on incorrect visual cues can lead to misaligned take-offs, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to procedures and continuous external monitoring during critical phases of flight.