2010-02 · NASA ASRS report 874740
SFO controllers described runway conflict event when Trainee was late canceling Runway 01 take off clearance with Runway 28 landing traffic approaching the intersection; reporters claiming Trainee lacks any ATC experience and should be re-assigned to a lower level tower to gain exposure to ATC.
Runway configuration at SFO: Runways 28L and 28R intersect Runways 1L and 1R at midfield. Air Carrier Y; on landing roll out on Runway 28L. Air Carrier X; cleared for takeoff prior to Air Carrier Y clearing the runway intersection. Position relief briefing was in progress with Trainee and oncoming Certified Professional Controller (CPC) plugged into LC (local). Instructor monitoring relief briefing from adjacent position. Instructor immediately instructed Trainee to cancel takeoff clearance after issued to Air Carrier X. Trainee did not cancel take off clearance until the 2nd command from Instructor to cancel the clearance. Air Carrier X rolled approximately 1000' before stopping on the runway. Trainee had minimal hours of OJT (on job training) on LC. Oncoming CPC had limited experience as well. Recommendation; in hindsight; relief briefing should not have been handled between two relatively inexperienced controllers. Instructor should have remained plugged into position. Instructor wrongly assumed that oncoming CPC would take appropriate measures to prevent an OE (Operational Error) during the relief briefing. The bigger issue: Trainee has ZERO aviation experience; let alone any ATC experience. The FAA should not be sending ZERO experience personnel to a complex level 9 tower like SFO. It is a recipe for disaster! There is absolutely no reason to be sending people with no experience to upper level facilities when there are plenty of people trying to upgrade from the surrounding lower level towers; all in the name of saving money! I don't think the flying public would feel very safe if they knew of the FAA's low budget policies.
The Trainee cleared Air Carrier X for takeoff on Runway 01R; prior to the aircraft that was landing crossing the intersection of Runways 28L and Runway 01R. The Trainer told the Trainee to cancel Air Carrier X's takeoff clearance. The Trainee said; ' Oh yeah;' and then began to laugh; but did not cancel the take off clearance. The Instructor again told the Trainee in a much louder voice to cancel the takeoff clearance. The Trainee just kept laughing and refused to take corrective action. The Instructor finally could wait no longer and canceled the takeoff clearance. Air Carrier X had already begun its takeoff roll; and the landing aircraft had not crossed the intersection of the runways yet. The departing aircraft rolled to Taxiway 'G' and exited. Management has refused to let this and the other zero experience Trainee wash out and go to a lower level facility to get some experience. Recommendation; I would recommend that trainees that came to SFO with zero experience should be sent to lower level facilities so they can gain the valuable experience they need to do the job properly and safely.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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