Fcm local controller described a wrong runway landing event not identified until after the aircraft ...

Narrative:

A PA28 was cleared to land runway 10L and instead landed runway 10R. Due to the distance and angle of our tower from our parallel runways; we are unable to distinguish which runway aircraft are on final for until they touch down; so we are unable to correct the situation before it happens. This is a known problem at this airport; and my understanding is that there are multiple committees and people looking into a solution for this problem. I believe a new tower; both higher and closer to the parallel runways; would help tremendously. The number of aircraft landing on the wrong runway at this airport is out of control. It was not an issue tonight; but someday it will be; and that thought is scary.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FCM Local Controller described a wrong runway landing event not identified until after the aircraft had touched down. The reporter indicated distinguishing correct runway alignments is difficult because of the Tower location; adding multiple similar events have occurred.

Narrative: A PA28 was cleared to land Runway 10L and instead landed Runway 10R. Due to the distance and angle of our Tower from our parallel runways; we are unable to distinguish which runway aircraft are on final for until they touch down; so we are unable to correct the situation before it happens. This is a known problem at this airport; and my understanding is that there are multiple committees and people looking into a solution for this problem. I believe a new Tower; both higher and closer to the parallel runways; would help tremendously. The number of aircraft landing on the wrong runway at this airport is out of control. It was not an issue tonight; but someday it will be; and that thought is scary.

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.

Attributes
ACN	903630
Time
Date	201008
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	FCM.Airport
State Reference	MN
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Person 1
Function	Flight Data / Clearance Delivery Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Fcm local controller described a wrong runway landing event not identified until after the aircraft had touched down. The reporter indicated distinguishing correct runway alignments is difficult because of the tower location; adding multiple similar events have occurred.