Tower Controller reported a commercial aircraft sliding to a stop to avoid a snowplow.

Date: 2022-01 · Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|ground-event-encounter-weather-turbulence|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control

Synopsis

Tower Controller reported a commercial aircraft sliding to a stop to avoid a snowplow.

Narrative

Aircraft X was taxied to the ramp off runway XXL by local control via taxiway E; H; M; to the ramp. I was working Local and obtained approval to taxi in Aircraft X from ground control in order to discuss with the pilot braking action; and other pertinent weather information for the safety of the operation. Once Aircraft X was on taxiway H approaching taxiway M; a snow plow cut off Aircraft X and began sliding and finally came to a stop to avoid the snowplow. Airport operations had a vehicle on my frequency and heard the report and stated he would take care of it. I advised the FLM of the situation and gave him the airport operators cell phone number. Later I was told that the plow cut off Aircraft X because they monitor the ground control frequency and never knew he was coming as I kept him on tower frequency. Seems like the blame game is being played here because airport operations snow crew lost sight of the see and avoid aircraft. Airport operations and snow crews should monitor all frequencies at all times if the option exists.

More incidents for this aircraft family →

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.