Plain English Meaning
Landing — or nearly landing — somewhere you weren't supposed to: the wrong runway, a taxiway, or even the wrong airport entirely.
Full Definition
A landing or attempted landing made on the wrong runway, on a taxiway, or at the wrong airport. It includes both completed touchdowns and approaches continued to a low altitude before the error is recognized and a go-around is performed.
Context Anchor
Seen during airport approach and landing, especially when checking that the airplane is lined up with the correct runway before touchdown.
Why Pilots Care
It raises the risk of runway incursions, collisions with other aircraft or vehicles, and loss of .