Apa local controller described a runway excursion event when traffic required to use runway 35L in l...

Narrative:

We were on a north flow with runway 35R closed for mowing operations; which in itself is a hazard because it was closed. A cirrus that was receiving flight following from approach called up approximately 10 miles south and was told to report 3 miles south straight in for runway 35L and that traffic was holding in position; and continued inbound; the wind was ranging from 120 to 070 at 10-20 KTS. The cirrus had the ATIS and knew of the weather. The cirrus landed and while rolling out he was told to exit when able and contact ground control; I observed the cirrus try to make B12 and was seen north of B12 in the grass. Wind shear could have been an issue; as our wind instrument is north of midfield and the cirrus never made it down that far the runway. Another factor could have been the closing our main runway for mowing operations; the extra width of the main runway might have prevented this. This was not the only wind event of the day and we are in desperate need of wind shear equipment. Recommendation; wind shear equipment; not closing the runway to mow the grass; actually being able to use the runways; as normal during the middle of the day when it is hottest and most needed.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: APA Local Controller described a runway excursion event when traffic required to use Runway 35L in lieu of 35R due to mowing operations; the reporter indicating mowing policies should be changed.

Narrative: We were on a north flow with Runway 35R closed for mowing operations; which in itself is a hazard because it was closed. A Cirrus that was receiving flight following from approach called up approximately 10 miles south and was told to report 3 miles south straight in for Runway 35L and that traffic was holding in position; and continued inbound; the wind was ranging from 120 to 070 at 10-20 KTS. The Cirrus had the ATIS and knew of the weather. The Cirrus landed and while rolling out he was told to exit when able and contact Ground Control; I observed the Cirrus try to make B12 and was seen north of B12 in the grass. Wind shear could have been an issue; as our wind instrument is north of midfield and the Cirrus never made it down that far the runway. Another factor could have been the closing our main runway for mowing operations; the extra width of the main runway might have prevented this. This was not the only wind event of the day and we are in desperate need of wind shear equipment. Recommendation; wind shear equipment; not closing the runway to mow the grass; actually being able to use the runways; as normal during the middle of the day when it is hottest and most needed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	903855
Time
Date	201008
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	APA.Airport
State Reference	CO
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Cirrus Aircraft Undifferentiated
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	Ground Excursion Runway Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control

Apa local controller described a runway excursion event when traffic required to use runway 35L in lieu of 35R due to mowing operations; the reporter indicating mowing policies should be changed.