Narrative:At 23:59 the local controller at Anchorage Airport, Alaska, cleared the flight to land on runway 6R. At 00:01 the ground controller cleared a state-operated pick-up truck onto runway 6R for a tapley run. The ground controller stated that he requested clearance from the local controller to allow the truck on the runway. He was not aware that the Boeing 747 had been cleared to land. The local controller was busy with other communications and was not sure if he acknowledged the request from ground control; however, the ground controller believed the local controller said 'okay.' The aircraft struck the truck about 2,000 ft beyond the approach end of the runway while the aircraft's main landing gear was on the ground but the nose had not yet been lowered from the landing attitude. The flight crew stated that they did not see the truck prior to the collision. At 00:13 the Runway Visual Range (RVR) was 600 ft variable 800 ft.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
control tower service..inadequate..atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc)
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
light condition..dark night
weather condition..low ceiling
weather condition..fog
weather condition..obscuration
object..vehicle
Classification:
Collision with vehicle
Runway mishap
Sources:
» NTSB
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 3 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 22-FEB-1985 | To: FAA | A-85-15 |
DEVELOP A MECHANICAL/AURAL/VISUAL (OR COMBINATION THEREOF) ALERT DEVICE AND REQUIRE ITS USE BY LOCAL AND GROUND CONTROLLERS TO COORDINATE THEIR ACTIVITIES WHEN A VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLEARED TO OPERATE ON THE ACTIVE DUTY RUNWAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD SUCH AS IN SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 22-FEB-1985 | To: FAA | A-85-16 |
PERIODICALLY EMPHASIZE IN THE TRAINING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL PROVIDING AIRPORT ADVISORY SERVICES THE PROPER APPLICATION OF RUNWAY USAGE PROCEDURES STRESSING POSITIVE COORDINATION BETWEEN CONTROL POSITIONS. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 22-FEB-1985 | To: FAA | A-85-17 |
PERIODICALLY EMPHASIZE IN THE TRAINING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER PERSONNEL THE REQUIRMENTS CONTAINED IN THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HANDBOOK 7110.65D, MARCH 1984, FOR RESTRICTED VEHICLE AND AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS IN THE ILS CRITICAL AREAS WHEN THE ILS IN BEING USED FOR APPROACH/LANDING GUIDANCE AND THE REPORTED CEILING, VISIBILITY OR RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED LEVELS. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Tokyo-Narita Airport to Anchorage International Airport, AK as the crow flies is 5477 km (3423 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.