Narrative:

While taxiing company B757 aircraft from gate to hangar line; we were cleared by ground control to proceed via a-t-join runway xx. After receiving subsequent clearance to T1 [then associated taxiways] to the hangar; we caught up to a dark; apparently unpowered company livery rj (erj-145) near the T1 intersection. The rj was being towed dark with absolutely no external lighting on; a completely dark aircraft. This situation only presented itself as we drew close to the aircraft in tow. The towbarless tractor (supertug) was lit externally; but minimally visible from our vantage point; with a completely dark aircraft between us and the tractor. Once the towing operation completed a turn onto taxiway T; a single green light came in view which is somehow mounted on supertug; presented a similar appearance to a green wing navigation light common on all aircraft. To say this presented a confusing situation is an understatement. [Aircraft] operation in noncompliance with fars; policy and procedures. This is a situation never before observed in [my] 30 plus years as a taxi mechanic at our location. There are long established standards in place regarding external light usage and requirements; both in gate areas; as well as movement in active controlled taxiways; most with an eye on safety regarding aircraft position (nav lights) and anti-collision lights signaling running engines and/or aircraft movement.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) taxiing a company B757 aircraft reports coming up on a dark; unpowered ERJ-145 aircraft with no external lighting on. Light on the towbarless Supertug tractor only minimally visible; with completely dark aircraft between their B757 and Tow tractor. Technician notes long established standards requiring Anti-Collision and Nav lights not enforced during aircraft tow.

Narrative: While taxiing company B757 aircraft from gate to Hangar line; we were cleared by Ground Control to proceed via A-T-join runway XX. After receiving subsequent clearance to T1 [then associated taxiways] to the hangar; we caught up to a dark; apparently unpowered company livery RJ (ERJ-145) near the T1 intersection. The RJ was being towed dark with absolutely no external lighting on; a completely dark aircraft. This situation only presented itself as we drew close to the aircraft in tow. The towbarless tractor (supertug) was lit externally; but minimally visible from our vantage point; with a completely dark aircraft between us and the tractor. Once the towing operation completed a turn onto taxiway T; a single green light came in view which is somehow mounted on supertug; presented a similar appearance to a green wing navigation light common on all aircraft. To say this presented a confusing situation is an understatement. [Aircraft] operation in Noncompliance with FARs; Policy and Procedures. This is a situation never before observed in [my] 30 plus years as a taxi mechanic at our location. There are long established standards in place regarding external light usage and requirements; both in gate areas; as well as movement in active controlled taxiways; most with an eye on safety regarding aircraft position (nav lights) and anti-collision lights signaling running engines and/or aircraft movement.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.