We've certainly been waiting for your input..that is if you could discuss it at all. Whew... the nerves of the local controller must have been in overload. Walter DCA ----- Original Message ----- From: <StuartBiglerJr@cs.com> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> > I saw several messages about the Dynasty incident at ANC. Here's what I > know to date. The incident happened at about 2:15am so there were only two > controllers on duty. The CAL A343 was taxiing for takeoff on runway 32. The > local controller, who was also working ground control, cleared them for > takeoff while they were still taxiing on taxiway Romeo (the main north-south > taxiway). The crew should have taxiied to the taxiway Kilo intersection and > turned right, taxiied about 400 feet west and turned right again onto the > runway. Instead they turned onto taxiway Kilo and started the takeoff roll. > The tapes show that the takeoff clearance was clear and acknowledged by the > crew. The LC had turned to check the TSD (Traffic Situational Display) to > check on inbound traffic when he realized that the engines sounded different > than normal. He turned around to find CAL about 1000ft down the taxiway > gaining speed. He told me he felt that the aircraft could not be stopped on > the remaining taxiway so he said nothing. The news reports keep talking about > tire tracks in a snow berm at the end of the taxiway. There was no berm, > there is a flat area that extends about 100 feet and ends at a 30-50 foot > embankment. The tire tracks from the main gear ran right off the taxiway and > across the ground to the embankment. They literally flew (rode?) the thing > off the end. They flew over about a quarter mile of woods and then out over > Cook Inlet. They're lucky to be alive. I've heard that the crew has been > grounded and we expect a NTSB team to arrive on Monday. There has been > speculation that the crew misunderstood the clearance but I haven't heard > anything concrete. The LC's actions and words have been examined and conform > to our handbook. The difference in headings for the taxiway and the runway is > 80 degrees, so someone should have noticed. The only thing I have been able > to come up with is that the takeoff heading was directly to the first fix on > their flight plan. Maybe that has something to do with it. The news reports > also say that it got very quiet in the tower when it happened. NOT! The LC > told me that he was yelling "OH SH*T" over and over. The other controller > rang the crash phone and shouted the same thing at the fire department > dispatcher who, of course, had no clue as to what was happening. Poor guy, I > can only imagine what was going through his mind. When I get the lowdown on > what the investigation turns up I'll post the results. Oh yes, there were 250 > pax and crew aboard. From where the aircraft started to roll to the end of > the tire tracks is about 6000 feet. > > Stuart Bigler > ANC ATCT >