What happened at Melbourne Airport in 2023?

Two passenger planes at Melbourne Airport in 2023 narrowly avoided colliding with construction workers and vehicles during takeoff, as the flight crews were unaware the runway had been shortened by nearly 1,600 meters for resurfacing work.

What were the consequences of the Melbourne Airport incidents?

Fortunately, no one was physically injured, and the planes continued their planned flights. However, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau called the incidents "serious" and said it was "by luck" that a catastrophic impact was avoided.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Planes Narrowly Avoid Colliding with Runway Workers at Melbourne Airport

Planes Narrowly Avoid Colliding with Runway Workers at Melbourne Airport

Q: How did the Melbourne Airport incidents occur?

The incidents occurred when a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 and a Bamboo Airways Boeing 787-9 overshot the temporarily shortened runway, passing just meters above workers and vehicles. The flight crews had not properly factored the reduced runway length into their takeoff calculations.

11 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Two planes overshot shortened runway, passing meters above workers
Flight crews unaware of 1,600m runway reduction due to resurfacing
Incidents prompt changes to airport safety notification procedures

Planes Narrowly Avoid Colliding with Runway Workers at Melbourne Airport

In September 2023, two passenger planes at Melbourne airport had close calls with construction workers and equipment during takeoff, according to an Australian safety investigation. The incidents occurred 11 days apart, when a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 and a Bamboo Airways Boeing 787-9 overshot the temporarily shortened runway, passing just meters above workers and vehicles.

The runway had been reduced from 3,657 meters to 2,089 meters to allow for overnight resurfacing. However, the flight crews were unaware of this critical change, leading to the near-collisions. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the crews had not properly factored the reduced runway length into their takeoff calculations due to expectations, workload, and time pressures.