What does the term "runway incursion" mean?

The term "runway incursion" refers to the unauthorized presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on a runway that can pose a risk to aircraft operations. This definition is vital for maintaining safety in the airport environment, as incursions can lead to potential collisions or accidents during takeoff or landing phases. Understanding this ensures that pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground personnel are vigilant about runway operations and compliant with safety protocols to minimize risks.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different aviation concepts. Emergency landing procedures are specific guidelines for pilots to follow during an in-flight emergency to safely land the aircraft. All clear communications before takeoff focus on ensuring that the aircraft is ready and that the environment is clear for departure, which is crucial but unrelated to the definition of runway incursions. Landing gear malfunction reports pertain to technical issues with the aircraft’s landing gear and their documentation, which is unrelated to unauthorized entry on a runway. Each of these options represents distinct aspects of aviation that do not accurately define what runway incursions are.