MILDURA- A QantasLink (QF) aircraft mistakenly lined up with runway edge lights instead of the centre line during take-off at Mildura Airport (MQL), damaging multiple lights over a 400-metre stretch.
Despite this, the pilots realigned and proceeded to Melbourne (MEL), where minor damage was discovered upon landing.
Investigations are ongoing, with both pilots stood down, and authorities examining the misalignment causes and regulatory implications.
One pilot has tested positive for an unprescribed medication, prompting mandatory testing and further scrutiny.
QantasLink Aircraft Strikes Runway Lights
In the early hours of February 25, a QantasLink Dash-8 aircraft departing from Mildura Airport (MQL) mistakenly followed the runway’s edge lights instead of the centre line.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reported that the QantasLink aircraft strikes seven runway lights over a 400-metre stretch before the pilots corrected their alignment and proceeded with the flight to Melbourne Airport (MEL).
Upon arrival, an inspection revealed minor damage to the turboprop aircraft. The ATSB initiated an investigation into the “misaligned take-off,” gathering evidence to determine contributing factors.
The investigation is in its preliminary stages, with a full report expected in six weeks.
Following the incident, both pilots were subjected to mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as required for aviation safety incidents.
The captain tested positive for a prescription medication for which he lacked a valid prescription.
Under Australian regulations, any pilot who returns a positive test must be reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), although CASA has not provided further comment on the case.
As part of the investigation, the airline has stood down both pilots while regulatory authorities, including the ATSB and CASA, continue their assessments.
Qantas has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation but has refrained from additional comments.
Photo: Mitchell R Hope | FlickrSimilar Incidents
This is not an isolated case. The ATSB is also examining three other “misaligned take-off incidents” that occurred at Perth Airport (PER) over a 10-month span ending in April last year.
Two of these incidents involved aircraft striking runway lighting, raising concerns about recurring safety lapses in regional and major airports.
Authorities are assessing whether procedural adjustments, pilot training enhancements, or infrastructural changes are necessary to prevent such incidents in the future.
The findings from these investigations will likely influence regulatory decisions and operational policies for QantasLink and broader Australian aviation safety protocols.
Photo: By Bidgee – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72800554Industry Response
QantasLink has launched an internal review of its operational procedures at Mildura Airport and is working closely with the ATSB and CASA.
The ATSB will publish a preliminary report within six weeks, outlining evidence gathered and areas for further investigation.
As scrutiny on aviation safety intensifies, the industry awaits potential recommendations to enhance procedural compliance, pilot training, and airport infrastructure to mitigate misalignment risks during take-offs.
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