Washington Dulles RTO incident
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There's a great writeup of the Tenerife aiport disaster by Kathleen Bangs at disciplesofflight.com/remembering-tenerife-airport-disaster in case anyone wishes to learn more.
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Last edited by golfyankeesierra; 27th Sep 2018 at 09:46.
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Another link to that article...
If that link doesn't work, try it again without the "www.".
There's a configuration error at Disciples Of Fight (at least regarding mobile browsers, so it probably worked for Carmel & GYS, while failing for me).
There's a configuration error at Disciples Of Fight (at least regarding mobile browsers, so it probably worked for Carmel & GYS, while failing for me).
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That PSA tragedy occurred only 60 miles from my home.
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What it needs is a set of big traffic lights at each end of the runway and at every crossing. When ATC gives take-off clearance the controller hits a big button that turns all the intersection lights red and then the one visible to the departing crew green. Then they either stay red until the controller hits the other button or, if you trust the automation, it could automatically turn off the red lights as the departing aircraft passes. It still doesn't account for someone running a red light but it might at least cause a pilot to query ATC if given an instruction to cross when the light is red.
What it needs is a set of big traffic lights at each end of the runway and at every crossing. When ATC gives take-off clearance the controller hits a big button that turns all the intersection lights red and then the one visible to the departing crew green. Then they either stay red until the controller hits the other button or, if you trust the automation, it could automatically turn off the red lights as the departing aircraft passes. It still doesn't account for someone running a red light but it might at least cause a pilot to query ATC if given an instruction to cross when the light is red.
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Clearly something didn't work then because if the red lights were on, no one queried ATC instructions to cross despite the red light. Or weren't they on? I guess the NTSB will reveal that at some point.
Shades of the TCAS-related collision in Europe where the Russian aircraft followed ATC directions and the other aircraft obeyed TCAS. There needs to be a clear direction here that if ATC conflicts with other signs then a query should be made. It's also a use for the green light at the end - explicit clearance confirmation for the departing aircraft.
Shades of the TCAS-related collision in Europe where the Russian aircraft followed ATC directions and the other aircraft obeyed TCAS. There needs to be a clear direction here that if ATC conflicts with other signs then a query should be made. It's also a use for the green light at the end - explicit clearance confirmation for the departing aircraft.
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Was the RWSL system not operational or just ignored by the crossing aircraft?
"Runway status lights (RWSL) are now operational on runways and taxiways at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The fully automated lighting system is being implemented at airports throughout the U.S. as part of a program to help enhance runway safety. The lighting system provides direct runway status information to pilots and surface vehicle operators indicating when it is unsafe to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway. It requires no input from controllers as it processes information from surveillance systems and then activates runway entrance lights and takeoff hold lights in accordance with the motion and velocity of the detected traffic.
Light fixtures embedded in the pavement are directly visible to pilots and vehicle operators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to have RWSLs operational at 23 U.S. airports by the end of 2016."
https://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/runw...es-airport.php
"Runway status lights (RWSL) are now operational on runways and taxiways at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The fully automated lighting system is being implemented at airports throughout the U.S. as part of a program to help enhance runway safety. The lighting system provides direct runway status information to pilots and surface vehicle operators indicating when it is unsafe to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway. It requires no input from controllers as it processes information from surveillance systems and then activates runway entrance lights and takeoff hold lights in accordance with the motion and velocity of the detected traffic.
Light fixtures embedded in the pavement are directly visible to pilots and vehicle operators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to have RWSLs operational at 23 U.S. airports by the end of 2016."
https://www.nbaa.org/ops/safety/runw...es-airport.php
RWSL training does emphasize that the RWSL indications do take priority over an ATC clearance just like TCAS.
It is obvious that the Sky West and AAL aircraft crossed as directed by the Tower controller and EITHER the RWSL system was not working OR they assumed that the controller's direction overruled the RWSL stop indications. This means that if the RWSL was not working it needs investigation; or, that a new rule needs to be put in place that RWSL indications have a higher priority than clearances from the controller - in a similar way as a TCAS RA must be obeyed regardless of what the controller is directing.
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I have only very limited knowledge of RWSL but I understand it is ao fed by radar data. So when an aircraft is cleared for takeoff but radar data sees it still stationary, will the RWSL be lit? My guess only when the departing starts to roll but it may well be too late. Anyone with some background info?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
I have only very limited knowledge of RWSL but I understand it is ao fed by radar data. So when an aircraft is cleared for takeoff but radar data sees it still stationary, will the RWSL be lit? My guess only when the departing starts to roll but it may well be too late. Anyone with some background info?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
I have only very limited knowledge of RWSL but I understand it is ao fed by radar data. So when an aircraft is cleared for takeoff but radar data sees it still stationary, will the RWSL be lit? My guess only when the departing starts to roll but it may well be too late. Anyone with some background info?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
BTW, what training, if any, do the home carriers get?
As to what training United gives their pilots I can't say but with the system installed at IAD, ORD, IAH, LAX and SFO, all United hubs, I would think the crews would be familiar with the system.
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@Markerinbound, thanks for info, the airports you refer to is where I fly to as well, and our info is limited apart from some basic info in route manuals.
Also the links in post 20 don’t give a lot more but I guess the RWSL don’t work well in this specific situation.
Also the links in post 20 don’t give a lot more but I guess the RWSL don’t work well in this specific situation.
What is Runway Status Lights (RWSL)?
What are Runway Entrance Lights (RELs)?
What are Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs)?
What are the benefits of RWSL?
How do the lights work?
What precautions should be taken if verbal clearance is received from the tower, but the lights are illuminated?
What airports are receiving RWSL?
What do the lights look like and how are they installed?
How are the lights different from other runway warning lights?
Does RWSL communicate with other safety systems?
How does the system vary from one designated airport to the next?
What is the program doing to educate people?
What precautions should be taken if verbal clearance is received from the tower, but the lights are illuminated?
What airports are receiving RWSL?
What do the lights look like and how are they installed?
How are the lights different from other runway warning lights?
Does RWSL communicate with other safety systems?
How does the system vary from one designated airport to the next?
What is the program doing to educate people?
Snippets from the current FAA AIM:
and
Never cross over illuminated red lights. Under normal circumstances, RWSL will confirm the pilot’s taxi or takeoff clearance previously issued by ATC. If RWSL indicates that it is unsafe to takeoff from, land on, cross, or enter a runway, immediately notify ATC of the conflict and re-confirm the clearance
System lights can be disabled should RWSL operations impact the efficient movement of air traffic or contribute, in the opinion of the assigned ATC Manager, to unsafe operations.
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If the RWSL was INOP, is that something that would appear in a NOTAM?
Alternatively, from the FAA description, it seems that if a departing aircraft is cleared but <30 knots when the taxiing aircraft enter the runway, nobody would see RWSL at all.
Alternatively, from the FAA description, it seems that if a departing aircraft is cleared but <30 knots when the taxiing aircraft enter the runway, nobody would see RWSL at all.
