How Did a Jetstar Plane Come Within 15 Metres of a Van at Townsville Airport?

Quick answer: A Jetstar Airbus A320 landing at Townsville Airport passed about 15 metres over a white van that was near the edge of the tarmac. No one was injured, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the runway incursion.

Key facts

• What: Runway incursion / near miss between a landing Jetstar Airbus A320 and a van
• Where: Townsville Airport, Queensland, Australia
• Flight: Jetstar service from Brisbane to Townsville
• Reported: 13 October 2026
• Reported toll: no injuries; no deaths
• Status: under investigation by the ATSB

What happened

The pilots of the Jetstar Airbus A320 noticed a white van near the edge of the tarmac as the aircraft was coming in to land at Townsville Airport. The aircraft passed about 15 metres over the van and then landed without further incident.

Jetstar said the flight continued to the gate, passengers disembarked normally, and safety is the airline's highest priority. The airline said it is cooperating with the ATSB investigation.

Townsville Airport is a joint-user facility shared by civil aviation and Defence, and air traffic control there is provided by the Royal Australian Air Force. A Townsville Airport spokesperson said the airport's safety team alerted the Air Force control tower. Defence said it was working with the ATSB as its investigation continued.

Why runway incursions matter

A runway incursion happens when an aircraft, vehicle or person is incorrectly present on a runway or in a protected area. Even when no contact occurs, a 15-metre separation between a landing jet and a vehicle on the ground leaves almost no margin for a different outcome, which is why the ATSB investigates such events.

The ATSB said near misses involving aircraft and vehicles or other aircraft are increasing, with the rate in 2025 the highest since 2019 and an average of about 10 such incidents a month over the past decade. The Townsville event is the fourth ATSB investigation in or near Townsville since 2022, following a fatal helicopter crash in 2023, a collision of two vehicles at an airport crossing in 2023, and a light aircraft ditching off the coast in 2022.

What happens next

The ATSB will examine how the van came to be near the tarmac while the aircraft was landing, including communications, access controls and procedures at the joint-user airport. Investigators will also look at how the crew and the tower responded once the van was spotted. The bureau is expected to publish its findings once the investigation is complete.

Frequently asked questions

How close did the Jetstar plane come to the van at Townsville Airport?

The ATSB said the aircraft passed about 15 metres over the van as it landed.

Was anyone injured in the Townsville Airport near miss?

No. The aircraft landed without further incident, continued to the gate, and passengers disembarked normally.

Who is investigating the Townsville Airport near miss?

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating. Defence, which provides air traffic control at the joint-user airport, said it is working with the ATSB.

What is a runway incursion?

A runway incursion is when an aircraft, vehicle or person is incorrectly present on a runway or in a protected area. The ATSB investigates these events because even a small loss of separation can have serious consequences.