What is the proper procedure if you detect a potential runway incursion?

What is the proper procedure if you detect a potential runway incursion?

• A. Continue taxiing and proceed as planned
• B. Call ATC for immediate clearance to continue
• C. Cease nonessential actions, announce intentions, and follow deconfliction procedures to clear the runway
• D. Adopt a holding pattern until the issue is resolved

Answer: (C)

When a potential runway incursion is detected, the priority is to immediately reduce risk on the surface and establish clear communication to deconflict the situation. The best approach is to cease nonessential actions, announce your intentions to ATC, and follow established deconfliction procedures to clear the runway. This sequence minimizes movement in the area, prevents confusion among crews, and provides ATC with the necessary information to re-sequence or re-route traffic safely. Announcing intentions helps everyone understand what you plan to do next, so another aircraft or vehicle isn’t surprised, while deconfliction procedures give you a controlled, official path to resolve the conflict—such as exiting the runway or awaiting further instructions. Continuing as planned would keep you in the risky path; seeking immediate clearance to continue without addressing the incursion bypasses crucial safety steps; and simply holding without engaging deconfliction may leave the threat unresolved.

When a potential runway incursion is detected, the priority is to immediately reduce risk on the surface and establish clear communication to deconflict the situation. The best approach is to cease nonessential actions, announce your intentions to ATC, and follow established deconfliction procedures to clear the runway. This sequence minimizes movement in the area, prevents confusion among crews, and provides ATC with the necessary information to re-sequence or re-route traffic safely. Announcing intentions helps everyone understand what you plan to do next, so another aircraft or vehicle isn’t surprised, while deconfliction procedures give you a controlled, official path to resolve the conflict—such as exiting the runway or awaiting further instructions. Continuing as planned would keep you in the risky path; seeking immediate clearance to continue without addressing the incursion bypasses crucial safety steps; and simply holding without engaging deconfliction may leave the threat unresolved.