Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 4300; Flight Crew Type 1000
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was acting as an IOE instructor; observing a pilot new to the company perform single pilot operations in the Metroliner. He was acting as sole manipulator of controls and was PIC (captain) for the flight. There was revenue cargo on board. The winds were calm at the uncontrolled airport so both runways were an acceptable choice. We elected to depart VFR because the ceiling was very high and our COM does not require us to pick up a clearance on the ground. As we were taking the runway; the Captain was very busy performing all of the single pilot operations to get the aircraft configured for takeoff. I was observing and rating his performance. As he was distracted by configuring the aircraft; I heard another aircraft (a King Air performing medevac services) call on center frequency for their clearance. They were at the other end of the runway. The captain of the Metroliner I was in had already made several radio calls on CTAF that we were taxiing out to the opposite runway; and he made a call that we were taking the runway for departure. He was not aware of the King Air until I informed him. I also made another radio call on CTAF advising that we were departing on the opposite runway. The King Air had not taken the runway yet; so we lined up for takeoff; but as the captain finished the last few configuration items; I saw the King Air take the runway. I told the captain to exit the runway. As we did; the King Air departed. The King Air pilot said a few minutes later on CTAF that he was not ever aware that we were there and I do not think the captain in my airplane would have been aware of the King Air had I not informed him because he was flying as a single pilot; with his head down and lots of distractions as he configured a fairly complicated aircraft for takeoff. I never heard the King Air make any calls on CTAF; I only heard him talking to center. It is possible; however; that we were 'stepping on' each other on CTAF. If the captain in my airplane had been done with IOE he would have been alone that night; and very likely the two aircraft would have had a head on collision on the runway or just after takeoff. I discussed the events with the captain of the Metroliner (whom I was training) and we agreed that taking your time and trying to build a larger picture of situational awareness regardless of the time pressures of the job are paramount. And in all honesty; if I had been single pilot (alone) that night I'm not sure I would have been aware of the King Air until it was too late either (although I like to think I would have been slightly less distracted with aircraft configured because of my higher level of experience and would still have heard them call for a clearance on Center). We also agreed that once we were aware he was there; we should have held short to see what he would do since we weren't in positive communication with him. But once again; we took the runway first after making several radio calls before and after the King Air pilot had received his clearance and we believed that he heard them. Since we never heard him say he was taking the runway; we thought he was waiting for us to depart in the opposite direction.
SA227 Training Captain describes a narrowly averted takeoff from opposite ends of the same runway by his aircraft and a King air.