Incident Overview
At 0153:50 on an unspecified date, the driver of Truck54 requested permission to enter runway 10L at taxiway D. The local controller responded, "Truck54 roger, understand you're clear runway 28 to eight left." The driver read back, "proceeding on 10L, we'll stay clear of all aircraft." The controller replied, "Truck54 roger, proceed on runway 28L." Neither the driver nor the controller corrected the runway identification error. The ASDE-X system depicted Truck54 as a diamond symbol with no relative speed.
At 0155:30, the pilot of Spirit Airlines flight 371 (NKS371) requested taxi from the gate to runway 28R for departure. The tower controller instructed taxi via taxiways T4 and B.
At 0159:06, the pilot reported holding short of runway 28R and ready for departure. At 0159:14, the controller issued a departure heading of 275 and cleared the flight for takeoff; the pilot read back correctly.
At 0200:00, as NKS371 taxied onto the runway and began aligning with the centerline, the runway status lights (RWSL) takeoff hold lights (THLs) activated. The aircraft immediately transitioned from taxi to takeoff roll without stopping.
At 0200:24, the ASDE-X system generated aural and visual alerts to the tower controller indicating a vehicle on the runway.
Communication Errors
At 0200:36, the tower controller cancelled the takeoff clearance for NKS371. The pilot acknowledged at 0200:42 and aborted the takeoff. ASDE-X data indicated the aircraft stopped at 0200:52.
At 0200:57, the controller instructed, "Spirit Wings three seven one, you can taxi back to runway two eight right." The pilot acknowledged.
At 0201:31, the local controller asked, "who's that?" regarding the vehicle on runway 28R. The driver of Truck54 responded, "Truck five four." The controller said, "Truck five four, you said you wanted to go on runway two eight left"; the driver did not respond.
At 0202:16, the pilot advised the need to hold in position for brake cooling; the controller replied, "no problem."
At 0210:22, the driver reported "clearing runway one zero left," and the controller acknowledged.
At 0218:04, the pilot stated the need to return to the gate for brake inspection. The controller issued taxi instructions to gate 14; the flight subsequently cancelled its intended flight.
Runway Status Lights System
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's runway 28R was equipped with a Runway Status Lights (RWSL) system, a fully automated system providing runway status to pilots and vehicle operators. The system included takeoff hold lights (THLs) and runway entrance lights (RELs). THLs were installed along the runway centerline for 1,497.85 feet from the threshold, comprising 16 pairs of red LED lights spaced every 100 feet. The RWSL system derived data from the ASDE-X system. THLs activated when an aircraft or vehicle was on the runway and an aircraft was preparing to depart. The lights extinguished when the system determined the aircraft had departed, based on reaching a minimum speed of 48.5 knots with an acceleration of 3.8 knots per second. At 0200:27, the THLs extinguished as NKS371 met these parameters.
Aftermath
No further communications from the pilot were recorded. The aircraft's brakes required inspection, leading to the flight's cancellation.