Lufthansa Jet Lands on Wrong Runway at Frankfurt Airport
A Lufthansa aircraft mistakenly landed on the wrong runway at Frankfurt Airport, leading to a serious incident. The flight crew's distraction and misinterpretation of signals contributed to the error. The incident began when the first officer tried to fix a lateral guidance issue on the Flight Management Computer (FMC), diverting attention during a crucial phase of the landing. Despite this, the air traffic controller permitted the flight to continue and land on Runway 28L, rather than ordering a go-around due to the low altitude. The aircraft was equipped with a runway awareness and advisory system, but the operator hadn't selected the option for an aural alert for the approaching runway. This oversight, coupled with the captain's misinterpretation of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights, led to the crew believing they were lining up for Runway 28C instead of the cleared Runway 28L. The Lufthansa aircraft ended up landing on Runway 28L instead of the intended Runway 28C. The incident highlights the importance of clear communication, proper use of safety systems, and maintaining situational awareness during critical flight phases. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was safely evacuated.
