2011-07 · NASA ASRS report 957540
CRJ200 flight crew discoverd another aircraft approaching from the opposite direction as they took Runway 4 at ABY. The other aircraft aborted their takeoff and cleared the runway. CTAF procedures were in effect but the first call heard from the other aircraft was the abort announcement.
Upon taxi out to Runway 4 in ABY; the First Officer made a radio announcement to ABY traffic stating that we were leaving the ramp and taxing to Runway 4. On taxi out; he received the clearance from JAX Center. At all times; we both had the volume on the #2 radios turned full up. At no point did we hear any other advisories. Prior to taking Runway 4; he made another call stating that we were taking 4 with a directional turnout. We both cleared the directions and didn't see or hear anyone else. While taking the runway; he turned the light intensity down a notch. It wasn't until I taxied on the runway and the lights went down that I saw the lights of an approaching plane coming down Runway 22. At this point; I began a tight turn back off of the runway. They stated that they were clearing at B. We asked if they had heard us and they said yes they knew we were there and had chosen to abort. I never did completely exit the runway; but was able to reposition and resume the takeoff. We were never in close proximity; but I'm not sure how both the First Officer and I could have missed a taxi; takeoff; and abort radio call from them if they made them. They didn't pick up their clearance until they were airborne after us; so I think they were trying to beat us out.
On taxi out from Albany; GA I made 3 radio calls on CTAF one leaving the terminal ramp; one crossing Runway 34-16 and another when taking the runway for take off and received our clearance and void time from JAX Center. We heard no other aircraft on CTAF and we were unaware of another aircraft simultaneously attempting to depart Runway 22. As we were entering the runway I changed the runway lights from high to low intensity; as I did we were then able to distinguish the landing lights of the other aircraft on the runway. We immediately began to turn the aircraft around in an attempt to exit the runway. That's when we heard the Macon FSS over Albany CTAF asking if the aircraft aborting take off at Albany needed assistance. The first communication we were able to hear from the other aircraft was that they did not require assistance and that they were exiting the runway to taxi back. I am unsure where on the runway they were. We were then able to communicate with the other aircraft who stated they had made radio calls. They were 'weak' on our radio and possibly never broke through the squelch with their first calls. After the other aircraft cleared the runway we took off with no further events.Some of the threats were an uncontrolled field; a weak radio; and the other aircraft attempting to depart VFR before picking up their IFR clearance. I think the landing light and runway lights may have been blended together until the intensity of the runway lights was changed. If the Control Tower was open anytime a scheduled flight departs these events could be avoided.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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