Narrative:

I was the flm (front line manager) in charge of the center tower when this event occurred. I had previously been briefed on flight check (flight crew) on my 1st shift of the week; I was briefed that flight crew had been canceled; due to aircraft difficulties. Several times during my work week; flight crew was re-scheduled. At the beginning of this shift; I was informed that flight crew operations were to occur on runway 27R and would be handled by an flm in the north tower; normally closed after xa:00 pm local. Additionally; city operations had requested to close and had closed only two runways; for construction. I informed city operations; as usual; that I did not require two other runways; and they could close runway 9R and runway 4L; which are normally used for multiple hangar-aircraft crossings. About one and a half hours into the shift; the cpc (certified professional controller) working the local control position; informed me that the flight crew aircraft; had contacted him; on two mile final for runway 9R; requesting a low approach. I quickly scanned my work area; pad and runway 9R; verifying that I had no aircraft or vehicles and although the runway was closed; I was clear. Simultaneously; the local control cpc; also scanned runway 9R and verified that he observed the runway was clear and there were no city vehicle requests to enter runway 9R. The cpc advised flight crew that runway 9R was closed and flight crew was cleared for a low approach to runway 9R. After the low approach; flight crew advised that he needed the ALS and flashers turned on for his next run. After hearing this; I decided to contact city operations; to officially open runway 9R. City operations advised me that they were in a 'shift change' and it would be a few minutes. I advised approach control to circle flight check; until we could fully accommodate the pilot's request. City operations did not mention any issues with the first low approach and later confirmed there were no men and equipment in the area at that time. Recommendation; a designated liaison; with whom flight crew confirms with; prior to departure; then notifies all parties. Consider a runway closed; no matter who closes it. Reduce the amount of flight crew briefings; give specifics relevant only to each shift. City operations should be included in flight crew shift intentions.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ORD Supervisor described a confused runway closure event involving a flight check aircraft cleared for a low approach; the reporter later questioning the runway closure status and suggesting improved coordination procedures be established between ATC and airport operations.

Narrative: I was the FLM (Front Line Manager) in charge of the Center Tower when this event occurred. I had previously been briefed on Flight Check (FLC) on my 1st shift of the week; I was briefed that FLC had been canceled; due to aircraft difficulties. Several times during my work week; FLC was re-scheduled. At the beginning of this shift; I was informed that FLC operations were to occur on Runway 27R and would be handled by an FLM in the North Tower; normally closed after XA:00 PM local. Additionally; City Operations had requested to close and had closed only two runways; for construction. I informed City Operations; as usual; that I did not require two other runways; and they could close Runway 9R and Runway 4L; which are normally used for multiple hangar-aircraft crossings. About one and a half hours into the shift; the CPC (Certified Professional Controller) working the Local Control position; informed me that the FLC aircraft; had contacted him; on two mile final for Runway 9R; requesting a Low Approach. I quickly scanned my work area; pad and Runway 9R; verifying that I had no aircraft or vehicles and although the runway was closed; I was clear. Simultaneously; the Local Control CPC; also scanned Runway 9R and verified that he observed the runway was clear and there were no city vehicle requests to enter Runway 9R. The CPC advised FLC that Runway 9R was closed and FLC was cleared for a Low Approach to Runway 9R. After the Low Approach; FLC advised that he needed the ALS and Flashers turned on for his next run. After hearing this; I decided to contact City Operations; to officially open Runway 9R. City Operations advised me that they were in a 'shift change' and it would be a few minutes. I advised Approach Control to circle Flight Check; until we could fully accommodate the pilot's request. City Operations did not mention any issues with the first Low Approach and later confirmed there were no men and equipment in the area at that time. Recommendation; a designated liaison; with whom FLC confirms with; prior to departure; then notifies all parties. Consider a runway closed; no matter who closes it. Reduce the amount of FLC briefings; give specifics relevant only to each shift. City Operations should be included in FLC shift intentions.

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.