Narrative:

It was a nice clear morning at trk airport. Pilot not flying announced on the unicom frequency that we were leaving the ramp and taxiing to runway 28 for departure. There were glider operations departing runway 19 and landing runway 01. All other aircraft were landing/departing runway 28. Winds were calm. On taxiway 'a'; as we were approaching the runway 19 intersection; the pilot not flying called out the right side was clear of traffic. I observed and announced to the pilot not flying that there was a tow plane and glider on my side stopped at the end of the runway. The PIC made another announcement on the unicom that we were approaching and would be crossing runway 19 enroute to runway 28. The tow plane pilot did not reply on unicom. I observed that the glider wingtip was resting on the runway indicating that they were not moving. It appeared they were just staging for departure. They were more than a half mile away from the intersection. I decided it was safe to cross the runway. Just as we were crossing the hold short line for runway 19 ; the tow plane pilot began his takeoff roll and for the first time we heard him on the radio. He asked 'what are you doing? ' Adding that 'he was departing and we should stop'. At the same time the pilot not flying was saying 'go;go; go'. Stopping at that point was not a safe option. I concurred with the pilot not flying that it was best to continue across the runway; which we did. This action provided much more separation between aircraft than if I would have stopped. I later noticed that the tow plane and glider became airborne about halfway between the takeoff position of runway 19 and the intersection of taxiway 'a'. At that time we were approximately 1;000 feet past the intersection of runway 19 and taxiway 'a'.the tow plane pilot; however; was very upset and unprofessional on the radio. According to him; we were entirely at fault. Neither I nor the pilot not flying heard a takeoff announcement from the tow plane pilot. I had the tow plane and glider in sight; approximately 3;000 feet away. They did not appear to be moving; I decided it was safe to cross the runway. At no time did I feel the safety of our passengers; my fellow crew member; our aircraft or the other aircraft was in jeopardy. Had we stopped when the tow plane pilot started yelling to 'stop' the separation distance would have then been critical. In hindsight; I could have stopped the the aircraft on the taxiway and tried to establish direct radio contact with the tow plane pilot to verify his intentions. However; because of his distance away; from the intersection; I did not deem it necessary. I am certain that the tow plane pilot did not power up for takeoff until after we had announced we would be crossing runway 19. Perhaps he did not hear our call; otherwise he could have also verified our intentions. Either way; trk is an uncontrolled airport. Pilots are not required to have a radio or to report their intentions. It is a see and avoid environment. The intersection is designated as hot spot 1 on the airport diagram; with a note that pilots departing runway 28 can not see aircraft departing runway 19. Therefore; perhaps simultaneous departures off runway 28 and runway 19 should be prohibited; particularly since aircraft radios are not even required. Even when radios are used; it is obvious that everyone's intentions are not always understood. Fortunately in our case; when eastbound on taxiway 'a' you do have visual reference to runway 19. I was able to see and avoid the other aircraft. It would be a much safer airport if everyone used same the runway. The tow plane and gliders were departing runway 19; then landing on runway 01 to facilitate their operations. All of the other traffic were using the longer runway 28 for both departures and landings.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C560 and a towplane and glider experienced a ground conflict at an uncontrolled airport.

Narrative: It was a nice clear morning at TRK airport. Pilot Not Flying announced on the UNICOM frequency that we were leaving the ramp and taxiing to Runway 28 for departure. There were glider operations departing Runway 19 and landing Runway 01. All other aircraft were landing/departing Runway 28. Winds were calm. On taxiway 'A'; as we were approaching the Runway 19 intersection; the Pilot Not Flying called out the right side was clear of traffic. I observed and announced to the Pilot Not Flying that there was a tow plane and glider on my side stopped at the end of the runway. The PIC made another announcement on the UNICOM that we were approaching and would be crossing Runway 19 enroute to Runway 28. The tow plane pilot did not reply on UNICOM. I observed that the glider wingtip was resting on the runway indicating that they were not moving. It appeared they were just staging for departure. They were more than a half mile away from the intersection. I decided it was safe to cross the runway. Just as we were crossing the hold short line for Runway 19 ; the tow plane pilot began his takeoff roll and for the first time we heard him on the radio. He asked 'what are you doing? ' adding that 'he was departing and we should stop'. At the same time the Pilot Not Flying was saying 'go;go; go'. Stopping at that point was not a safe option. I concurred with the Pilot Not Flying that it was best to continue across the runway; which we did. This action provided much more separation between aircraft than if I would have stopped. I later noticed that the tow plane and glider became airborne about halfway between the takeoff position of Runway 19 and the intersection of taxiway 'A'. At that time we were approximately 1;000 feet past the intersection of Runway 19 and taxiway 'A'.The tow plane pilot; however; was very upset and unprofessional on the radio. According to him; we were entirely at fault. Neither I nor the Pilot Not Flying heard a takeoff announcement from the tow plane pilot. I had the tow plane and glider in sight; approximately 3;000 feet away. They did not appear to be moving; I decided it was safe to cross the runway. At no time did I feel the safety of our passengers; my fellow crew member; our aircraft or the other aircraft was in jeopardy. Had we stopped when the tow plane pilot started yelling to 'stop' the separation distance would have then been critical. In hindsight; I could have stopped the the aircraft on the taxiway and tried to establish direct radio contact with the tow plane pilot to verify his intentions. However; because of his distance away; from the intersection; I did not deem it necessary. I am certain that the tow plane pilot did not power up for takeoff until after we had announced we would be crossing Runway 19. Perhaps he did not hear our call; otherwise he could have also verified our intentions. Either way; TRK is an uncontrolled airport. Pilots are not required to have a radio or to report their intentions. It is a see and avoid environment. The intersection is designated as Hot Spot 1 on the airport diagram; with a note that pilots departing Runway 28 can not see aircraft departing Runway 19. Therefore; perhaps simultaneous departures off Runway 28 and Runway 19 should be prohibited; particularly since aircraft radios are not even required. Even when radios are used; it is obvious that everyone's intentions are not always understood. Fortunately in our case; when eastbound on taxiway 'A' you do have visual reference to Runway 19. I was able to see and avoid the other aircraft. It would be a much safer airport if everyone used same the runway. The tow plane and gliders were departing Runway 19; then landing on Runway 01 to facilitate their operations. All of the other traffic were using the longer Runway 28 for both departures and landings.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.