2010-09 · NASA ASRS report 910768
An air carrier Captain reported that soon after landing at KOA he noticed a Cessna on the same runway who had apparently landed without a clearance; and without Tower knowledge. The Cessna pilot reported he thought he had been cleared to land.
First flight of the day landing in Kona. We received landing clearance to RWY 17 about 17 miles from the airport. Normal landing and deployed thrust reversers. Approaching H taxiway between 90-80 knots; saw Cessna on the same runway about to exit H taxiway. The aircraft was left of the centerline about to exit the runway and I immediately veered off right of the centerline to avoid collision. First Officer immediately questioned Kona Tower about the aircraft but they were not aware of the situation. Tower attempted to contact the unidentified aircraft as we made a normal exit through C taxiway. After several attempts; the unidentified aircraft responded with; 'we almost got run over; what's going on?' After shutdown; I called KOA Tower and confirmed via the tape that the Cessna landed without clearance. Neither of us in the cockpit saw this aircraft until after landing and approaching H taxiway. Tower personnel on duty did not notice unidentified aircraft landing ahead of us.
I requested one pattern circuit for a maintenance flight check. Was cleared for takeoff runway one seven; closed left traffic. At about the normal downwind call position I heard what I thought was last 3 numbers of my N number and cleared to land runway one seven. I read back; 'cleared to land one seven;' and the last 3 digits of my 'N' number. I heard nothing else until turning off the runway onto a taxiway. An air carrier jet passed me at that point. I called the Tower and was told that I had not been cleared to land and to call the Tower. I was told that there was no communication from me on the tapes. It was surmised my call had been at the same time as the inbound jet and had not been heard. I did not see the jet on final. It was hazy but visibility was 10 miles. In the future I will be certain that I am the one being addressed and will use the entire N number in all communications with ATC.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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