What is a "runway incursion"?

A "runway incursion" is defined as an occurrence at an airport involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a runway. This means that if an aircraft mistakenly enters the runway when it is not authorized to be there—either due to miscommunication, human error, or technical issues—it qualifies as a runway incursion.

This concept is critical for maintaining safety in airport operations, as it helps prevent potential collisions or accidents. Ensuring that no unauthorized aircraft or vehicles are on the runway helps to facilitate safe takeoffs and landings.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of a runway incursion. For example, unauthorized entry into restricted airport areas can be serious but does not specifically refer to the actions happening directly on a runway. Similarly, exceeding landing speed is a pilot error or oversight that indicates poor technique rather than an incursion issue. Lastly, a delay in runway clearance may affect traffic management, but it does not relate to the unapproved presence of an entity on the runway itself.