The pilot of a Pilatus PC-12 was likely affected by sun glare when the aircraft was aligned to land on a taxiway at Launceston Airport, before manoeuvring at low level to align with the runway and then going around, an ATSB final report details.
The single-engine turboprop aircraft was operating a charter flight from Essendon, Victoria, to Launceston, Tasmania, with a pilot and four passengers on board, on 13 June 2025, the report details.
As the aircraft was on approach to Launceston Airport's runway 32L in clear conditions with the sun low in the sky and 10° to the left of runway heading, the pilot misidentified the parallel taxiway as the runway, and aligned the aircraft with the taxiway's extended centreline.
When at a low level, the pilot became aware they were approaching the taxiway.
They then conducted a low-level right then left turn to realign with the runway, before commencing a missed approach. After a visual circuit the aircraft landed without further incident.
During the approach to the taxiway, a Cessna 152 was waiting at a holding point with an instructor and student pilot on board.
The Pilatus passed 15 m behind the holding point approximately 45 ft above ground level. The pilot later reported they were not aware of the Cessna at the holding point at the time of the incident.
While landing on the taxiway would likely have resulted in the PC-12 passing over the Cessna, it would probably have resulted in a collision with airport construction works obstacles further down the taxiway.
"The final approach was conducted in clear conditions almost directly into the sun, exposing the pilot to glare," ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.
"When flying visually in such conditions, pilots should crosscheck against available flight and navigation instruments in conjunction with external indicators, such as airport lighting, to verify that the aircraft is on the intended flight path."
The investigation also found that once they identified they were approaching the taxiway, the pilot corrected the aircraft's flight path at a low level, rather than conducting an immediate missed approach.
"If a discrepancy is identified below an appropriate stabilised approach height, an immediate missed approach should be conducted," Mr Macleod noted.
Following the occurrence, the aircraft operator, Armada Aviation, made changes to its operating procedures, including updating the final decision to proceed to landing to include a requirement that the runway was confirmed and clear by 400 ft above ground level, or the approach minima.
You can find here the final report: Approach to a taxiway involving Pilatus PC-12, VH-NWI, Launceston Airport, Tasmania, on 13 June 2025
