Local controller described a momentary unauthorized runway entry event by an airport vehicle; the re...

Narrative:

I was working local control. Runway 5/23 was closed and several airport vehicles were working on that runway. Runway 13 was the advertised runway. I had first cleared an air carrier for landing; and shortly thereafter cleared a crj for take off. Ground control had issued a sweeper runway 13 hold short instructions at the intersection of the runways. Ground control then observed the sweeper crossing the hold short line and immediately instructed the vehicle to 'stop' and then 'back up'. At this moment; the crj had just entered the runway and was beginning his take off roll. The landing air carrier was on short final. I observed that 1/3 of the vehicle had crossed the hold short line before it stopped and started to back up. The sweeper never was on the runway. The sweeper was back behind the hold short line before I could have issued landing and take off cancellations to both aircraft. I issued no instructions to either aircraft; as in my judgment that was the safest course of action. I have no recommendations. Both controllers involved appear to have handled the event as effectively as possible.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Local Controller described a momentary unauthorized runway entry event by an airport vehicle; the reporter noting he elected to not cancel a landing and takeoff clearance because the vehicle cleared in sufficient time.

Narrative: I was working Local Control. Runway 5/23 was closed and several airport vehicles were working on that runway. Runway 13 was the advertised runway. I had first cleared an air carrier for landing; and shortly thereafter cleared a CRJ for take off. Ground Control had issued a Sweeper Runway 13 hold short instructions at the intersection of the runways. Ground Control then observed the Sweeper crossing the hold short line and immediately instructed the vehicle to 'stop' and then 'back up'. At this moment; the CRJ had just entered the runway and was beginning his take off roll. The landing air carrier was on short final. I observed that 1/3 of the vehicle had crossed the hold short line before it stopped and started to back up. The Sweeper never was on the runway. The Sweeper was back behind the hold short line before I could have issued landing and take off cancellations to both aircraft. I issued no instructions to either aircraft; as in my judgment that was the safest course of action. I have no recommendations. Both controllers involved appear to have handled the event as effectively as possible.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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	988065
Time
Date	201201
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle Ground Incursion Runway

Local controller described a momentary unauthorized runway entry event by an airport vehicle; the reporter noting he elected to not cancel a landing and takeoff clearance because the vehicle cleared in sufficient time.