Boofta
Having just read the report to refresh my memory, your outrage at the handling by the Approach controller is exceeded only by your ignorance.
The Approach controller realized the crew were operating under extreme workload conditions and rightly refrained from issuing a frequency change to the Tower frequency. Instead the Approach controller (located inside the enclosed radar centre) selected the intercom line to the North runway Air Movement Controller and relayed the landing clearance on her behalf, as he was not in a position to determine 100% that the runway was clear himself.
Although the preceding landing was initially well ahead when CPA780 was cleared for a visual approach, the rate of closure was extreme with the ground speed at almost 240kts and as it turned out the preceding aircraft was only just clear of the runway when 780 approached the threshold.
Last edited by bekolblockage; 11th Sep 2013 at 15:46.