Narrative:

I relieved the previous controller who included in the briefing that 2 trucks were on the field grooming and had clearance to enter the runway. With rapidly changing weather; the pilot of a cherokee; who was VFR on a right downwind for runway 24 called for landing clearance. My attention was drawn to the aircraft because of the weather and a bad transponder was causing the aircraft's tag drop from the d-brite. I was having trouble verifying the aircraft's position; finally I was able to see the aircraft. I cleared the cherokee to land on runway 24. The aircraft landed and was at taxi speed approximately 1;500-2;000 ft down the runway. At that time; a truck asks if he was ok with the aircraft cleared to land. I advise yes and asked him to call the tower. I immediately notified the flm. Recommendation; the incident could have been prevented if our main memory aid would have been used. The controller I relieved did not use it. It was my responsibility to make sure the position is set up the way I needed it to operate safely. Other factors were slow traffic; weather and multiple vehicles on the movement area. We often let our guard down when things get slow. We are taught to react quickly in this business; however when it is slow; it is good to slow things down. Those are times when you have to take a look around before you speak and scan scan scan!!! The 'vehicle' sign works great when used. I think that velcro place cards may help or a manual red flashing light on the panel to alarm you that vehicles are on the field.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller described a loss of separation event between a landing aircraft and a vehicle previously given runway clearance; the reporter noting established memory aids were not used as directed.

Narrative: I relieved the previous controller who included in the briefing that 2 trucks were on the field grooming and had clearance to enter the runway. With rapidly changing weather; the pilot of a Cherokee; who was VFR on a right downwind for Runway 24 called for landing clearance. My attention was drawn to the aircraft because of the weather and a bad transponder was causing the aircraft's tag drop from the D-Brite. I was having trouble verifying the aircraft's position; finally I was able to see the aircraft. I cleared the Cherokee to land on Runway 24. The aircraft landed and was at taxi speed approximately 1;500-2;000 FT down the runway. At that time; a truck asks if he was OK with the aircraft cleared to land. I advise yes and asked him to call the Tower. I immediately notified the FLM. Recommendation; the incident could have been prevented if our main memory aid would have been used. The Controller I relieved did not use it. It was my responsibility to make sure the position is set up the way I needed it to operate safely. Other factors were slow traffic; weather and multiple vehicles on the movement area. We often let our guard down when things get slow. We are taught to react quickly in this business; however when it is slow; it is good to slow things down. Those are times when you have to take a look around before you speak and scan scan scan!!! The 'VEHICLE' sign works great when used. I think that velcro place cards may help or a manual red flashing light on the panel to alarm you that vehicles are on the field.

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.