Runway incursion and near collision involving a Boeing 737, ZK-TXB, and a ground vehicle, at Melbourne Airport, Victoria, on 17 February 2026

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a runway incursion and near collision involving a Boeing 737, registered ZK-TXB, and a ground vehicle at Melbourne Airport, Victoria, on 17 February 2026.

During the take-off on runway 34 at Melbourne Airport, the pilot of a Boeing 737 was alerted by ATC to a vehicle on the runway at the intersection of runway 09/27 and as a result conducted a high-speed rejected take-off.

In the course of the investigation, the ATSB considers there to be a reasonable likelihood of limitations in risk controls and organisational factors relevant to the occurrence. Examination of these factors represent a significant increase in the scope of this investigation, and it has been upgraded from Short to Defined as a result (the ATSB's different levels of investigation are detailed here). 

The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.