Phf controllers describes situation where a tug is reporting its position on the runway; while an ai...

Attributes
ACN	1179018
Time
Date	201406
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	PHF.Airport
State Reference	VA
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft High Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	Taxi
Route In Use	None
Person 1
Function	Other / Unknown
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1
Person 2
Function	Other / Unknown
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Incursion Runway

Narrative:

Before opening; a tug announced himself on 118.7; that he was transitioning north on runway 2 with aircraft in tow. Aircraft X announced that he was taxiing out on taxiway a for a runway 20 departure. The tug re-announced that he was on runway 2 and that his intentions were to turn off at taxiway C. Aircraft X then announced that he was departing runway 20 and started rolling. The tug promptly exited runway 2 on taxiway D when a controller in the tower keyed in on 118.7 and told aircraft X to stop. Aircraft X stopped his roll and back taxied runway 20 for another departure attempt; while the tug held short of runway 20 on taxiway D. Aircraft X claimed to not have heard the tugs announcements on 118.7 until the incident already occurred. After aircraft X departed; the tug continued to the ramp without further incident. No vehicles or aircraft were damaged during this. Incident occurred prior to opening. Aircraft and vehicles understand that they move at their own risk.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PHF controllers describes situation where a tug is reporting its position on the runway; while an aircraft attempts to depart. Tower Controller uses radio and tells departing aircraft to stop. Tower is not open when this happens.

Narrative: Before opening; a tug announced himself on 118.7; that he was transitioning north on Runway 2 with aircraft in tow. Aircraft X announced that he was taxiing out on taxiway a for a Runway 20 departure. The tug re-announced that he was on Runway 2 and that his intentions were to turn off at Taxiway C. Aircraft X then announced that he was departing Runway 20 and started rolling. The tug promptly exited Runway 2 on Taxiway D when a controller in the Tower keyed in on 118.7 and told Aircraft X to stop. Aircraft X stopped his roll and back taxied Runway 20 for another departure attempt; while the tug held short of Runway 20 on Taxiway D. Aircraft X claimed to not have heard the tugs announcements on 118.7 until the incident already occurred. After aircraft X departed; the tug continued to the ramp without further incident. No vehicles or aircraft were damaged during this. Incident occurred prior to opening. Aircraft and vehicles understand that they move at their own risk.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Phf controllers describes situation where a tug is reporting its position on the runway; while an aircraft attempts to depart. Tower controller uses radio and tells departing aircraft to stop. Tower is not open when this happens.