What happened
On July 7, 1983, an aviation accident occurred involving a tow plane and a van positioned directly on the active runway. The incident took place during the takeoff roll of a glider being towed by the aircraft. The van had been intentionally parked on the runway by the airport owner with the specific intent to close the facility and prevent any takeoffs from occurring.
The airport owner reported that he had notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the closure; however, no Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued for July 7, 1983. A NOTAM had been issued for the previous day, July 6, but this did not cover the date of the incident. The driver reportedly operated the van down the runway with its lights illuminated and stopped approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold.
When the collision occurred, the van was empty of occupants. The pilot of the tow plane and his companions observed the van's lights but incorrectly believed that the vehicle would clear the runway in time. Their vision was significantly reduced due to a camera and a passenger, identified as a photographer, seated in front of the pilot.
As the glider began its takeoff run, the glider pilot realized that the van would not be cleared from the runway. In response, the glider pilot released the tow line and successfully landed on a nearby taxiway. The tow plane, however, did not clear the van, resulting in a collision in the middle of the runway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the actions taken by the airport owner to close the runway and the communication protocols followed. It was determined that while the owner claimed to have notified the FAA, the necessary regulatory notification via NOTAM was not executed for the specific date of the incident. This lack of official notice meant that pilots were unaware of the obstruction.
Findings
The primary contributing factors included the failure to issue a valid NOTAM for the runway closure and the decision to park a vehicle on an active runway without proper coordination with air traffic control or pilot notification systems. The reduced visibility for the tow plane pilot due to cabin obstructions also played a role in the inability to avoid the collision in time.
Safety message
Airport owners and operators must ensure that any runway closures are communicated through official channels, including timely NOTAMs, to prevent collisions with ground vehicles. Pilots must remain vigilant for unexpected obstructions, especially when cabin visibility is compromised.