DC-10 Captain Avoids Snow Removal Vehicle During Final Approach

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

A DC-10 captain executed an evasive steering maneuver to avoid a snow removal vehicle stalled on the active runway moments after touchdown during an ILS approach.

What happened

At 2245:29 CST, the flight crew of a DC-10 reported reaching the final approach fix for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) runway 9R approach. The fix was located 4.7 miles from the runway threshold. The aircraft had been cleared to land. Shortly thereafter, a snow removal team, which was working on runway 32L, requested permission for four vehicles to cross the active runway 9R. The tower controller granted clearance for the vehicles to cross.

At 2247:28, the lead man of the vehicle group reported that they were clear of the runway. However, as the fourth vehicle was approximately halfway across, its manual transmission jumped out of gear, and the driver struggled to reengage it. At 2248:00, the lead man notified the tower of the mechanical issue. By this time, the DC-10 was already on final approach.

After the aircraft touched down and the spoilers were deployed, prior to the nosewheel being lowered, the flight crew spotted the stalled vehicle at the edge of the runway. The captain took immediate evasive action, steering the aircraft around the obstacle. The landing continued without further incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988-02-11 Douglas DC-10 accident near Chicago, IL?

A DC-10 captain executed an evasive steering maneuver to avoid a snow removal vehicle stalled on the active runway moments after touchdown during an ILS approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-02-11 involved a Douglas DC-10, registration N123AA, operated by American Airlines, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

JUDGEMENTAL ERROR ON THE PART OF THE LOCAL CONTROLLER FOR CLEARING VEHICLES ACROSS THE ACTIVE RUNWAY TIWH INSUFFICIENT SEPARATION FROM ARRIVING AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS FURTHER COMPROMISED BY A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE EQUIPMENT CROSSING THE RUNWAY.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X25025. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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