clivewatson.
I gave an example or two when a CONTROLLED AIPORT TOWER OPERATOR/Controller cleared an airplane to takeoff or land with a vehicle or other airplane on the runway. One ended in death. And the other, when confronted by the pilot (me) was told that I was still cleared for takeoff.
How can you know if there is something on the runway or not when a CONTROLLER can make a mistake like I have outlined?
For starters, you look out the window of your plane.
I would like to think that a vehicle on the runway at night would have its lights on.
Planes have hit dear, trucks, birds, other planes all with an operating tower.
IF a pilot determines that an airport is reasonably safe to land on and reasonably has determined that Tower is not operating properly, landing using uncontrolled airport ops is reasonable.