What happened
On the morning of April 25, 1997, a near-collision occurred at Rovaniemi Airport involving a Finnish Air Force Piper PA28R-200, registration PA2, and an electrical maintenance vehicle. The aircraft was preparing for a VFR flight to Kittilä, taxiing via a taxiway to runway 03. Simultaneously, an electrical maintenance vehicle was driving along the centerline of runway 21 to inspect high-power lights.
At approximately 08:32, the air traffic controller trainee issued both a route clearance and takeoff clearance to the aircraft. Crucially, the trainee did not verify that the runway was clear. The Piper PA28R-200 began its takeoff roll on runway 03 without stopping. As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot spotted the maintenance vehicle directly ahead on the runway. The vehicle driver, noticing the approaching aircraft at a distance of approximately 300 to 400 meters, immediately steered to the right, moving outside the edge light line.
The aircraft passed over the vehicle at an altitude of roughly 30 to 40 meters. The pilot of the PA2 observed the vehicle but determined that continuing the takeoff was safe and did not report the incident via radio. The air traffic controllers only became aware of the situation when the vehicle driver queried the tower via radio, asking if any other aircraft were following.
The investigation
The investigation examined the actions of the air traffic controllers, the pilot, and the vehicle driver. It established that a shift change had occurred at 08:00, leaving a trainee controller in charge of traffic while a supervising controller handled secondary tasks. The investigation also reviewed the radio communications and the procedures for verifying runway vacancy.
Findings
- The trainee controller failed to verify that the runway was clear before issuing takeoff clearance.
- The trainee also issued the route clearance and takeoff clearance simultaneously, which was contrary to established procedures.
- The supervising controller was heavily distracted by processing flight plans received via telephone, which prevented them from noticing the trainee's error or monitoring the visual situation.
- The pilot of the PA2 identified the vehicle during the takeoff roll but elected to continue the flight rather than aborting the takeoff.
- The maintenance vehicle driver successfully avoided a direct impact by maneuvering off the runway centerline.
- The investigation noted that the use of the telephone for flight plan processing placed a significant workload on the controller, particularly during single-person shifts.